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.
Starring: Parry Shan, Kane Hodder, Laura Ortiz, Tiffany Shepis, Felicia Rose,
Director: Adam Green
Premise:
A decade after the events of the first movie, the lone survivor agrees to an interview in the Honey Island Swamp where Victor Crowley is once again accidentally resurrected.
My Take:
More over the top gore and humor that fans of the series have come to expect.
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Marc Blucas, Udo Kier
Director: S. Craig Zahler
Premise:
A man gets sent to prison after a drug exchange gone wrong. He leaves behind his pregnant wife and boss/friend who is covering for. While in prison, he gets set up by the drug boss on the other side of the bad deal and must murder another inmate or his kidnapped wife gets an experimental abortion.
My Take:
The movie takes the viewer down a long, winding road of a man who trying to save his wife and unborn child despite the bad decisions he has to make. Plus there is straight up, unflinching violence and gore.
Starring: Hermann Kopp Michael Krause, Heinrich Ebber
Director: Jorg Buttergeriet
Premise:
An anthology of tales dealing with death taking place on each day of the week.
My Take:
I always feel the same way after watching a movie by this director. Gross out and not into what I just watched yet enamored because their is a definite style and them to all of the director's work. It's going to be hit or miss for viewers just know the subject matter is intense and the gore is excessive and realistic.
Starring: Sasa Handa, Yuria Hidaka, Ayumu Tokito
Director: Koji Kawano
Premise:
A virus is turning people in the school into mutated zombies. The new girl, with a mysterious past, leads those not infected.
My Take:
I usually dig these over the top splatter fest flicks from Japan but this one never really hooked me. It seemed more interested in being soft core nudie flick through most of the second half. Tighter editing may have made it more enjoyable.
Starring: J.D. Brown, Natalie Jean, Tim Cronin, Adam Huss, Tabetha Ray
Director: Adam Ahlbrandt
Premise:
A production crews goes to a rural cemetery that was a site of an mass exorcism in the 1600's. While onsite the crew awakens the curse.
My Take:
The movie has some short comings but isn't terrible. The special effects are good and so is the story about the cemetery. Unfortunately, the viewer doesn't really care for the characters or their outcomes.
Premise:
The continuing saga of survivors battling a disease that turns males into sex crazed zombies.
My Take:
It took to number three in the series for me to start getting turned off in the series. Nothing really new occurs and little is added to the story in this one.
Starring: Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis, Frank Dillane, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Mercedes Mason, Colman Domingo, Lorenzo James Henrie, Danay Garcia, Paul Calderon
Premise:
A family ties to survive zombie uprising. They end up fleeing to Mexico in hope for sanctuary.
My Take:
I enjoyed the second season (especially the second half) far more than the first. Maybe it's because many of the characters are changing and adapting to this new world that was forced upon them. Maybe because there are now multiple story lines. Either way the show seems to be improving. And there is an impressive amount of gore for a television show.
Starring: Klaus, Tange, Ursula Bedena
Director: Helene Cattet, Bruno Forzani
Premise:
A man comes home to find his wife missing. As he attempts to find out what happen, he goes farther into a weird world of sexual desires.
My Take:
A feast for the visual and auditory senses. It can be challenging at times, and confusing, but the creative duo pulls off another modern giallo
Starring: Milo Cawthrone, Kimberly Crossman, James Blake
Director: Jason Lei Howden
Premise:
A group of kids find an ancient song that allows demons to takeover the Earth
My Take:
Plenty of splatter and comedy in this flick. There's a good portrayal by the cast for a story which has familiar tones. It's enjoyable film but wanted a little more out of it.
Starring: Wes Bently, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Denis Dugan, Lady Gaga, Chloe Sevigny, Matt Bloom, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Cheyenne Jackson, Mare Winningham, Finn Wittrock
Premise:
Those living (if that's what one wants to call them) in the Hotel Cortez are skeptic about the new ownership and the future of the hotel.
My Take:
Much like other seasons of AHS the writers throw a little bit of everything into the season. At least this one feels like most of the characters have a full arc and their complete story is told.
Starring: Liam McIntyre, Manu Bennett, Dustin Clare, Daniel Feuerriegel, Cynthia Addia-Robinson, Pana Hema Taylor, Ellen Hollman, Jenna Lind, Simon Merrells
Premise:
Spartacus leads the group of former slaves to take down Rome while a Roman Army lead by Crassus is out to stop them.
My Take:
The final season continued with the copious viscera splattering across the screen, though much is done with CGI. Still there are some vicious deaths on this show. And let's never forgot about the copious amount of nudity as well. An entertaining series all around.
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Lucy Lawless, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, Jill Marie Jones
Premise:
A middle age man sets loose evil after reading from an ancient book and then sets out to stop it.
My Take:
This delightful television series picks up years after Ash does battle with the Deadites. Along for the ride are two youngsters he happens to work with at a hardware store. The series amps up the comedy and the viscera in a delightful manner. Bruce Campbell is gold, once again, as Ash who is more or less the same selfish buffoon as always. The series runs as one long movie with each episode blending into the next. Any fan of the original Evil Dead movies will need to see this series but I am sure it will bring along a new legion of fans discover those classics. So glad there will be a season two.
Premise:
A virus kills most of the population. The few survivors try to make safety in rural areas where they run into creatures determined to wipe out the rest of them.
My Take:
Doug Roos, the creator of the film, reached out for a review. And like any one who does so, I happy review their material.
What seems to be a fairly typical premise on the surface actually has a decent amount of new ideas. The actors do a good job as well to make it all believable.What sets the movie apart is the top notch practical effects. No CGI here and it shows. My biggest criticism of the flick is that it becomes a bit too talky at points which tends to drag it out a bit. Otherwise, this is an entertaining watch.
Click on the links below for more information on the movie and watch the trailer below. And keep this guy on your radar.
Premise:
A clown gets fired from his job and goes into business for himself. Too bad he also has a mental breakdown.
My Take:
There is a decent amount of gross stuff this flick. Unfortunately there is not enough substance or character development to make the audience care.
