The Houses October Built (2014) #416

I wanted to love this movie because of the name alone, but no matter what this film is called, it was a disappointing let down. The film is about five friends who who seek out various carnival style haunted houses that are set up and operated around Halloween, hoping to find something truly exceptional and scary. I like this idea and I believe that the movie would have worked if it wasn't presented in a POV, "found footage" perspective. The scenes in the traditional "haunted houses", also known as haunts, are fine but the real scares that could have taken place in the big climax are lost and wasted in a mix of cut scenes that are too dark and chaotic to process Asa viewer.

There are a few creepy scenes that work well that take place in the middle of the film. But before these happen, we are treated to watching a group of friends who have a genuine chemistry. The actors almost avoid the cookie cutter stereotypes so their characters come across as real and relatable. The same can not be said about the film's antagonists who are nothing more than the quiet, menacing type of faceless creepers that have been seen in countless horror movies already.

Maggie (2015) #415

The 2015 movie "Maggie" is a delightful surprise that finds a careful balance in being part family drama and part post-zombie apocalypse. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger (in perhaps his best role to date since returning to his acting career) as Wade Vogel, a loving father and family man who only wants to take care of his daughter Maggie. Unfortunately, Maggie has been infected by a zombie, and knowing that she is now contagious and will eventually "turn", she runs away to the city. She is caught breaking curfew and is brought to the hospital will Wade picks her from and brings her back home. Over the course of the next several days, the two are forced to deal with the realization of what's occurring to Maggie, as well as Wade's neighbors and Maggie's crush. The ending is inevitable but is filled with emotion and is very satisfying.

Several factors make this film amazing. First of all is Arnold; this is the most emotional that I have ever seen him in a movie and so he is completely believable as Wade. Although another actor may have been better suited for the emotional side of the role, Arnold is still emotionally and physically imposing for the moments of the movie that call it, such as dealing with the neighbors. Second is the restraint that director Henry Hobson shows by keeping the violence and gore to a minimum. Just because this movie is about zombies, they appear briefly and not over used, so their few appearances make a larger impact and justify the story line. Finally, Abigail Breslin's performance as Maggie is to be applauded. Again, not the best performance I've seen in this kind of role but still it's good, believable, and moving.

"Maggie" should be on the should list for any fan of zombie films.