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Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
1408 (2007) #384
"1408" has instantly become one of my favorite Stephen King adaptions, so much so that I want to find the short story that inspired the film and read it. This film has a solid beginning, middle, and surprisingly, a very satisfying ending. It's a ghost story that works and that feels fresh and unique, with a clever twist that I haven't seen before. John Cusack is brilliant as Mike Enslin, a talented novelist who begins visiting "haunted" locations and writing books about his experiences. Mr. Cusack carries the weight of the film as he is in every scene and is supported by only a handful of other actors for brief moments; a prolonged scene with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson is truly delightful.
Mike Enslin is a novelist who writes about supernatural places and events, although he is a skeptic and doesn't believe in what he writes about. He receives an anonymous postcard from the Dolphin Hotel with a message "Don't enter 1408" written on it. Mike learns that dozens of people had died in that room in various gruesome ways. He goes to the hotel to stay the night, finding legal loopholes to force the hotel management to allow him into the room. Gelarld Olin, the hotel manager, tries his best to dissuede Mike from going into the room by giving him a file full of pictures and police reports of some of the victims. Mike takes the file, a fancy bottle of scotch, and his wits with him into the innocent looking room, ignoring everyone's warnings. It's not long after his investigation begins that he realizes that there might be something to about the room after all....
Mike Enslin is a novelist who writes about supernatural places and events, although he is a skeptic and doesn't believe in what he writes about. He receives an anonymous postcard from the Dolphin Hotel with a message "Don't enter 1408" written on it. Mike learns that dozens of people had died in that room in various gruesome ways. He goes to the hotel to stay the night, finding legal loopholes to force the hotel management to allow him into the room. Gelarld Olin, the hotel manager, tries his best to dissuede Mike from going into the room by giving him a file full of pictures and police reports of some of the victims. Mike takes the file, a fancy bottle of scotch, and his wits with him into the innocent looking room, ignoring everyone's warnings. It's not long after his investigation begins that he realizes that there might be something to about the room after all....
Thursday, July 24, 2014
The Purge: Anarchy (2014) #383
Warning: Subtle spoilers ahead!
What makes the concept behind "The Purge" movies so interesting is the fact that each film is able to explore and expand on various ideas and perspectives that various characters may have. In the original film, we see a regular family under siege by a group of young adults who want to exercise their national right to kill and torture whoever they wish. The original "The Purge" was an interesting, effective, and still somehow am underwhelming film, but it had set the stage beautifully for other stories to be told about this new and horrifying national holiday.
"The Purge 2: Anarchy" takes the concept that was presented in the first film and dives right in, expanding on several characters from different walks of life who are brought together by circumstances outside of their control, who are left to try to survive the night while trapped in the city. The film's five main characters are easily relatable and you can't help yourself from hoping that they make it through the night.
The film touches on political, economical, and social issues on a deeper level than the original film while still being a truly effective horror movie. The scenes are intense, gripping, and chilling. Even though some events in certain scenes could be figured out before they occurred, nothing felt forced or cheesy; ok, maybe the scene that felt a bit too much like "The Road Warrior" might have been a little cheesy but at least it was still fun.
For the next sequel, I would love to see what the first annual "purge" was like and how it came about. Was it civil/class warfare that had gotten out if hand? How accepting was the general public, knowing that they could suddenly kill, maim, and torture whomever they wanted? Or seeing how certain events played out in the third act of "Anarchy", does the "purge" continue and how has it evolved?
What makes the concept behind "The Purge" movies so interesting is the fact that each film is able to explore and expand on various ideas and perspectives that various characters may have. In the original film, we see a regular family under siege by a group of young adults who want to exercise their national right to kill and torture whoever they wish. The original "The Purge" was an interesting, effective, and still somehow am underwhelming film, but it had set the stage beautifully for other stories to be told about this new and horrifying national holiday.
"The Purge 2: Anarchy" takes the concept that was presented in the first film and dives right in, expanding on several characters from different walks of life who are brought together by circumstances outside of their control, who are left to try to survive the night while trapped in the city. The film's five main characters are easily relatable and you can't help yourself from hoping that they make it through the night.
The film touches on political, economical, and social issues on a deeper level than the original film while still being a truly effective horror movie. The scenes are intense, gripping, and chilling. Even though some events in certain scenes could be figured out before they occurred, nothing felt forced or cheesy; ok, maybe the scene that felt a bit too much like "The Road Warrior" might have been a little cheesy but at least it was still fun.
For the next sequel, I would love to see what the first annual "purge" was like and how it came about. Was it civil/class warfare that had gotten out if hand? How accepting was the general public, knowing that they could suddenly kill, maim, and torture whomever they wanted? Or seeing how certain events played out in the third act of "Anarchy", does the "purge" continue and how has it evolved?
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Stake Land (2010) #382
"Stake Land" is an interesting blend of vampires and survival horror set in a post-apocalyptic setting. The vampires are feral and mindless which make them feel more like zombies, travelling both solo and in packs during the night, are difficult to kill, and are just plain nasty. The human survivors live in tightly guarded communities, trying to live normal lives. In the outskirts, a dangerous band of religious cannibals known as the Brotherhood rule the highways and pick off and terrorize innocent travelers. It's a combination of elements that are typically not presented so smoothly in a horror film, especially one that presents all of the horrific moments with a gentle touch of humor and humanity. The characters are likable and relateable and are brought to life by a very talented cast which includes Danielle Harris, Kelly McGillis, and Larry Fessenden. Although the film's stars, Nick Damici and Connor Paolo, are both new to mainstream horror, they carry the weight of the film wonderfully and I would love to see them in this genre in the future.
A vampire hunter known only as Mister takes a teenage boy as an apprentice after saving him from vampire. The two travel from town to town, steadily travelling north to "New Eden". Along the way they met and save other survivors, the Brotherhood and their leader Jebedia Loven, and a host of animalistic vampires. For every triumph to achieve, they suffer a tragedy. As they near the borders of "New Eden", Mister and Martin come across a thinking vampire, a creature that tests their resolve, wits, and skills.
Favorite moment - The scene where the Brotherhood demonstrate how deranged they are by dropping vampires inside the confines of a secured town, killing innocent victims in an instant bloodbath.
A vampire hunter known only as Mister takes a teenage boy as an apprentice after saving him from vampire. The two travel from town to town, steadily travelling north to "New Eden". Along the way they met and save other survivors, the Brotherhood and their leader Jebedia Loven, and a host of animalistic vampires. For every triumph to achieve, they suffer a tragedy. As they near the borders of "New Eden", Mister and Martin come across a thinking vampire, a creature that tests their resolve, wits, and skills.
Favorite moment - The scene where the Brotherhood demonstrate how deranged they are by dropping vampires inside the confines of a secured town, killing innocent victims in an instant bloodbath.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Devil's Due (2014) #381
"Devil's Due" is a mediocre horror film that is seen through the lens of a video camera, capturing the touching moments of a young couple as they get married, go on a honey moon, become expecting parents, and finally have their lives torn asunder when they realize that they are being used by a group trying to summon the Antichrist. The movie is more P.O.V. (Point of View) than Found Footage because the scenes in the film are recorded from multiple camera sources, and from which the content is neither edited or found later on. Even though there is plenty of time to develop the two main characters, Zach and Samantha, we learn only the basics about either of them and ultimately are not as invested in their struggles as we could be. The film has a few legitimate scares and an interesting, although unoriginal, feel about.
Zach and Samantha are young couple in love and Zach has decided to video tape all of their major, and minor, moments together. While on their honeymoon is the Dominican Republic, Zach and Samantha visit a fortune teller who tells Samantha that she was "born from death" and that "they've been waiting for you". Later that night, the two are taken to an underground nightclub by a pushy cab driver, and while they are there, they drugged and become unwilling participants in a religious ceremony. Not remembering much about the night before, the two return to the US and start their lives together. Several weeks later, Samantha tells Zach that she is pregnant, even though she has been on the pill. As the weeks pass, Samantha begins acting strangely, entering a possessed like state where she demonstrates super strength and telekinetic powers. Zach also notices strangers watching their house at all hours of the day and night and finding weird symbols inside the house. The movie comes to a climax as Samantha nears her due date and the cult moves in to take what they believe is theirs...
Zach and Samantha are young couple in love and Zach has decided to video tape all of their major, and minor, moments together. While on their honeymoon is the Dominican Republic, Zach and Samantha visit a fortune teller who tells Samantha that she was "born from death" and that "they've been waiting for you". Later that night, the two are taken to an underground nightclub by a pushy cab driver, and while they are there, they drugged and become unwilling participants in a religious ceremony. Not remembering much about the night before, the two return to the US and start their lives together. Several weeks later, Samantha tells Zach that she is pregnant, even though she has been on the pill. As the weeks pass, Samantha begins acting strangely, entering a possessed like state where she demonstrates super strength and telekinetic powers. Zach also notices strangers watching their house at all hours of the day and night and finding weird symbols inside the house. The movie comes to a climax as Samantha nears her due date and the cult moves in to take what they believe is theirs...
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Wolf Creek 2 (2013) #380
In my opinion, sequels should only be made if there is another story to tell involving characters or details from an original film. Unfortunately, half of the horror movies created don't share or follow that train of thought and "Wolf Creek 2" is such an example. It is merely the continuing adventures of the sadistic Australian Outback hermit Mick Taylor, finding helpless tourists to torture and kill. To give the director/writer Greg McLean credit, the character Mick does branch out and kill a few police officers and locals as well this time around. The movie begins nice and strong but quickly slides into a predictable sequence of cat-and-mouse situations. All of this does not mean that the movie isn't enjoyable but it does mean that it's not as outright scary or chilling as the original.
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