Proud to admit that I am a horror junkie.
However, my definition of what falls under the realm of horror entertainment is fairly wide. Horror is an emotion experienced differently by individuals.
These are short reviews of the movies, television series, novels, comics, albums, and any thing else which crosses my path if I feel like falls into the wide world of horror entertainment.
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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.
Author: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Charlie Adlard
Premise:
The communities war with Neegan comes to an end.
My Take:
Losses on all sides, though not who the readers may think, and emotional drama. It seems this chapter ends for these groups survivor. Now how will they move forward?
Premise:
During the Cold War a British astronaut is sent on a solo space mission with limited contact to home base. As he gets farther into his mission the spacecraft starts to malfunction and he keeps receiving strange transmissions.
My Take:
A large part of the movie rests on the lead actor who does a fine job. While the movie is far from perfect the director does holds the tension together and works well in the confined budgets.
Starring: Robin Padilla, Sunshine Dizon, Rhian Ramos, Mark Bautista
Director: Topel Lee
Premise:
A man saves his friends from death in a car accident. He ends up being able to see spirits, who actual bring upon death to the living and want those who should have died.
My Take:
The movie is sort of a Filipino Final Destination type with death wanting to retrieve its original victims. It keeps the viewer interested but is also rather forgettable.
Starring: Elma Begovic, Annette Wozniak, Denise Yuen, Jordan Gray
Director: Chad Archibald
Premise:
A woman is bitten by something during her bachelorette party trip overseas. Her body starts changing and morphing upon her return home.
My Take:
One tends to forgive the unlikable character's lack of judgment and gaps of time due to the outstanding practical effects and sheer gross out moments. Sit back and enjoy the ooze.
Starring: Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Asa Butterfield, Terence Stamp, Chris O'Dowd, Judi Dench, Rupert Evertt. Allison Janney, Ella Purnell
Director: Tim Burton
Premise:
Upon his grandfather's untimely death, a young man discovers the tales of growing up in a magically place with special children is actually real and he too is a special one.
My Take:
A fun movie that does run a tad long and has many of Burton's trademarks.
Starring: Alberto Trujillo, Luly Trueba
Director: Sebastian Hoffman
Premise:
A man who works as a night guard in a 24 hour gym forms a friendship with is female manager. The one issue is the man is also dead.
My Take:
A movie not for all horror fans as it leans heavily on dramatic situations. The man is a functioning zombie for all purposes (though the z word is never used) and he treats it as a condition of surviving.
Starring: Andrew Gallagher, Bob Glouberman, Jessica Sowa
Director: Rich Fox
Premise:
A group of people under go these experiences called "Blackout" which borderline on physical and mental torture.
My Take:
The scenario for the movie seems interesting but it quickly goes nowhere and becomes a lot of the same things over and over. It plays out as a straight forward documentary which I dont think really helps in the viewers search for answers.
Premise:
Josh Gates sets out to find new clues on old legends and myths from the past
My Take:
This is always an enjoyable series and is good for brushing up on some of histories biggest legends. I never take much of it too seriously though.
Favorite Episode:
"Tracking Tasmania's Tiger" - New clues suggest the thought to be extinct Tasmanian Tiger is still alive in the remote parts of Tasmania.
Starring: Michel Diercks, Pit Bukowski, Uwe Preuss
Director: Til Kleinert
Premise:
A police officer in a rural German community is tracking a wolf that terrorizing the area. Only he finds out what he is hunting is not quite a wolf after all.
My Take:
The movie has new twist on werewolf lore. It's intriguing enough to watch and the director creates an eerie mood for the viewer.
Starring: Elizabeth Reaser, Henry Thomas, Lulu Wilson, Annalise Basso
Director: Mike Flanagan
Premise:
Set in the late 60's, a widowed mother and her two daughters try to make a living off her being a psychic. After a Ouija board is purchase it seems to unleashed the spirits of an evil presence that occupied the house before they moved in.
My Take:
Far better than the original due to the writer/director Mike Flanagan's tight script which allows the viewer to feel for what is happening to the characters. The ending feels like the studio tabbed it on but it doesn't necessarily ruin the movie.
Starring: Sherry Edwards, Peter Tuinstra, Michael Madsen
Director: Ken Solarz
Premise:
A large and aggressive crocodile reeks havoc upon a Thailand resort area.
My Take:
The main trouble with the movie is the viewer doesn't care about any of the characters. It's a Jaws rip off with a crocodile instead, but no where near as entertaining.
Rating: Warning (Big croc size biteful of a warning)
Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohen, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Danai Gurira, Sonequa Martin-Green, Alanna Masterson, Christian Serratos, Seth Gilliam, Michael Cudlitz, Lennie James, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Premise:
Survivors band together to live in a world full of zombies.
Season 7 sees Rick's group came face to face with their biggest adversary yet, The Saviors.
My Take:
This was a season of change. There is major characters shake up in the battle with the Saviors. Some change and some dont survive. The group also discovers other communities under the Saviors control and attempt band together in a war. Their leader Neagan is one of the best villains on TV. Major props to Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Starring:Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson, Edwin Hodge,
Director: James DeMonaco
Premise:
On the annual Purge night a Presidential candidate is targeted by her adversaries and must stay alive until the morning.
My Take:
I'm not a big fan of the movie series but this entry peaked my interest. Maybe because of the crazy political climate we that's happening in the US (and global really) right now. This movie brings back the main character from the previous one and expands a bit more on the whole "Purge" movement.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams
Director: Scott Derrickson
Premise:
A famed neurosurgeon gets in a accident and loses the ability to move his hands. He seeks out alternative solutions to healing and stumbles into a work of mystic teachings and other alternate dimensions. And there is other people seeking to gain this knowledge.
My Take:
A rather wild and crazy tale in the Marvel Universe that I am sure will tie together eventually. The special effects are amazing and the cast is great which makes it worth the viewers time.
Starring: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken
Director: Jason Zada
Premise:
When her twin sister goes missing in the infamous Suicide Forest in Japan a woman goes on a mission to find her. Only once in the forest she discovers the rumors of the supernatural and haunting are true.
My Take:
This movie had a lot of potential with the setting alone and by using twins. However it fails and falls into normal trappings leading not much substance for the viewer.
Starring: Ian McCulloch, Louise Marleau. Marino Mase
Director: Luigi Cozzi
Premise:
A ship enters New York containing a strange egg looking thing that infects and kills people once it's bursts open. A team of researches must find out it's origins.
My Take:
Sort of a low budget, Italian, Alien ripoff (pods, eggs, contamination) except the story is set on Earth and the alien was brought back with an astronaut who went to Mars. The movie managed to keep my interest though I was unsatisfied with the results.
Starring: Ilona Agathe Bastian, Yos Santo
Director: H. Tjut Djalil
Premise:
A researcher studying witchcraft from cultures around the world ends up in Bali where she studies under the a powerful witch who has alterior motives.
My Take:
The movie shows age with some laughable special effects (floating head) and the crazy witch cackling will annoy the hell out you, but it's always interesting to watch flicks about lore from other countries.
