| ||||
I'd buy that for a dollar... maybe - Part II The Last House On The Left (1972) * * * ½ lasthouseontheleft.jpg Mari (Sandra Cassell) and Phyllis (Lucy Grantham) are on their way to a rock concert. When they run into recently escaped criminal Krug Stillo (David Hess) and his gang, things take a turn for the worse - for all involved. This is a brilliant example of the rape and revenge subgenre. Made on a very tight budget, this grim and unrelenting film still works after 44 years. Apart from a few continuity errors and a overhasty third act, this film is a prime example of its genre and one of the most audacious directorial debuts ever. Hess’ perfomance is impressive. Final Destination (2000) * * ½ finaldestination.jpg Alex (Devon Sawa) has the ability to foresee horrible events. He and a few of his friends (Ali Larter et al.) survive a massive accident due to his ‘gift’, but they soon find out that their deaths have only been postponed. Although the film’s basic idea is excellent, I found the actual realisation somehow flawed. Whilst I successfully managed to ignore most of the obligatory teenage movie clichés (picking a fight for no reason, pointless conversations, stupid discussions), I found some of the death scenes either ridiculous or exaggerated. Having said that, I still enjoyed the film as a whole as it’s really great how Final Destination manages to create an atmosphere of constantly lurking terror. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) * * * halloween3.jpg After entering a hospial and eliminating a patient, a hitman kills himself by blowing up his car. Eye witness Doctor Dan Challis’ (Tom Atkins) curiosity leads him to an outrageous conspiracy involving a toy factory boss (Dan O'Herlihy) and his very special collection of Halloween masks. Accept the story’s inconsistencies and follies (Stonehenge, anyone?) and forget about Michael Myers. This is a well-made and entertaining Horror film with lots of atmosphere. Dean Cundey’s excellent cinematography and a moody score by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth make the film look and sound more expensive than it is. Both Atkins and O’Herlihy are great. Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) * * ½ halloween4.jpg Michael Myers survived the ending of Halloween II and, after 10 years in a coma, is back to hunt his niece Jamie (Danielle Harris) down. Scarred and walking with a limp, fellow blast survivor Doctor Loomis (Donald Pleasance) is still destined to lock him up for good. Although this film never reaches the high level of the original or its sequel, it’s still worth watching. Slightly adapted to a new film generation, this film includes more violent deaths and less moody stalking. Pleasence once more plays Loomis with heart and soul, and the ending is terrific. Maniac (1980) * * * ½ maniac.jpg Frank Zito (Joe Spinell) is a disturbed maniac on the prowl. Will his new acquaintance Anne (Caroline Munro) help him deal with his problems? One of the finest Slashers ever made, with fantastic SFX and an outstanding Spinell. A slightly longer review can be found on The Cult Labs Members' Review Club. |
| ||||
Just watched the Criterion collection release of SLACKER It's a sunny Texan day sometime in the late 80's (at least some time before the films 91 release) and we follow the lives of a loosely connected slackers around Texas. The film follows a character for a while before deciding that other guy seems more interesting then another character will come into play and the film follows them and so forth and so forth. We get lots of discussions on topics such as media, philosophy, politics and history from a varied and interesting set of characters most of whom are played by non actors, and while the film has no real over-arching plot its still very watch-able and clearly shows influences from earlier independent American directors such as Jim Jarmusch as well as influencing Kevin Smith to direct CLERKS. Slacker set the trend for a lot of stuff in the 90's and was hugely influential. It still holds up today and Criterions Blu-ray is a phenomenal presentation including a great looking transfer, three commentaries and a whole bunch of extra stuff including a 16mm short from Linklater. It also has a nifty book included in the packaging as well. Worth a look if you can play region A. |
| ||||
I Frankenstein Not as bad as I thought it was going to be actually enjoyed it for what it was despite the dreadful special effects, weak story and some poor acting. 5.5/10 The babadook While not finding it total awful like rik, also coudnt see why people gave it so much praise. Average in nearly every respect and as was Said by Rik not the least bit scary, seen more scary episodes of scooby doo. 5/10 Next up another two I have not seen before Witching and bitching Rabid grannies |
Like this? Share it using the links below! |
| |