31 (2016) #486

“31”, an original Rob Zombie film that fails to be all that original. Once again, it’s set in the 1970’s, yet again it stars his wife Sheri Moon, and while watching the film, it feels like you're watching a carnie version of The Running Man. This is also one time where Zombie doesn’t over explain things, leaving you wanting a bit more information about some characters, primarily the three aristocrats that seem to be running the event that’s taking place. Knowing this, the film is still to watch and is elevated by the performance of one individual.

The movie begins with a cold opening, black and white, with a haunting speech from Doom-Head, perfectly performed by Richard Brake (Mandy). This scene sets a high-level mark that the remainder of the film attempts and sometimes achieves. Here, Doom-Head is taunting his recent victim before finishing the job. He feels like an evolved version of Otis from "House of 1000 Corpses", just more methodical than maniacal; both are completely terrifyingly effective.

The next scene is a bright and sunny day, and we are introduced to the happy go lucky crew of carnies. The next few minutes are spent introducing this set of characters enough for the viewers to know their names and not much else. While driving at night, they come across a trap and are quickly overcome by unknown assailants, once again reminiscent of "House of 1000 Corpses". Some are killed while the others are tied up and driven off into the night. When the five carnies wake up, they find themselves as game pawns with odds of the survival being announced by three bizarre classically dressed aristocrats. These three explain that they are about to play the game 31 and all they have to do is survive the relentless onslaught by the various "Heads", beginning with Sick-Head, then the killer clowns Schizo-Head and Psycho-Head, and then Death-Head and Sex-Head, who was a rather inquisitive flirt earlier in the film.

The carnies are able to defeat the five "Heads" while losing two of their own. The aristocrats are forced to call in the sixth "Head", Doom-Head, who eventually agrees. He makes quick work of two of the carnies, which leaves Charly as the sole survivor, played by Shari Moon. Charly is able to survive the stated 12 hours of the game and Doon-Head is called off. Not caring about the rules, Doom-Head and Charly have a final stare down before the credits begin.

     

 

Silent Hill: Revelation (2012)

"Silent Hill: Revelation" is a film for those who loved the first movie and possibly the game franchise and simply want more of the same. What we see in this sequel is just that; more of the same, but at the same time we are not provided with antagonist characters that we care enough to hate or be afraid of. Carrie-Anne Moss plays the lead villain this time around and the role falls flat while the brief scene with Malcom McDowell feels like a  much stronger payoff. Sean Bean returns and is again not given enough screen time or lines to really dig in considering his strong presence and talents. The visuals are again fun but there is really nothing new to be seen.

Sharon is now almost 18 and is going by the name Heather. But she was trapped in the ghost realm of Silent Hill, wasn't she? Yes she was but her mother Rose found a way to briefly talk to her husband and send their daughter back to him. So now Heather and Harry have moved to a new town, trying their best to avoid the agents of the Order who want and need Heather to come back to Silent Hill so they can kill her and the evil Alessa that is keeping them trapped in their living hell. They managed to kidnap Harry which prompts Heather to go to Silent Hill in order rescue him. Even before she makes it to the haunting deserted town, Heather enters the "Night Zone" and faces the various demons that terrorize Silent Hill on a regular basis. Heather faces down the leader of the cult, finds her dad, and discovers the powers that she can wield since she is the "loving, innocent" half of the evil Alessa.

Cat People (1982)

“Cat People” was a movie I didn’t get to watch until I was much older but I remember seeing pictures for it in the schedule books for our cable subscription that we received every month and then seeing the box at the video rental stores. When I finally saw it, I was impressed that it was something more than just a typical werewolf movie; it was a creepy psychological thriller that didn’t need to depend on violence and high body count to be an effective horror movie (this was made in the 80’s after all). I enjoyed seeing a shape shifter turn into something besides a werewolf (although I love werewolves!) and the reason behind their shape shifting. The only thing negative I can say about this movie was the film quality and how it looks dark and dirty when compared to other movies that were produced at that time. I look forward to when they release a remastered version.

Irena meets her long lost brother Paul when she comes to New Orleans. She was only five when she last saw him and has spent her childhood in foster homes. Unknown to Irena, the siblings are were-cats and change into large panthers whenever they have sex with normal people. They can only have sex with each other without causing the change, just like their parents who were also siblings. Irena develops feelings for a zoologist named Oliver. With the sexual tension high, the movie explores the deadly love triangle that happens to involve two mystical beasts.

Favorite moment – The opening song “Cat People” that was performed by David Bowie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-gku3bkFl0

Malcolm McDowell as Paul

Paul in panther form

I loved the dream-state flashbacks

Halloween (2007)

Just because you grew up loving a movie doesn’t mean that you should one day make your version because that version is going to turn out to be a horrible piece of crap that insults the original more than anything else. And for god’s sake, do not ruin the magic of the original by creating some insipid and horrible reason as to why a child grows up to be an unstoppable killing machine. This is the crime that Rob Zombie made and is convicted of by legions of horror movie fans across the planet when he made his version of “Halloween”. This film is a perfect example of what happens when a film maker tries to recreate something and he is clearly out of his league….or out of his mind. He takes the simplicity of the Michael Myers mythos and explains everything, that Michael had a horrible childhood with a P.O.S dad, typical bullies at school, and way too much time on his obsession with masks and his mom asking him to take them off. In fact, Zombie takes the first 35 or so minutes of the movie to explore Michaels’ childhood and how Dr. Loomis tried to help him before everything goes horribly wrong.

Once the movie moves forward and introduces the high school aged Laurie Strobe, the film finds its groove and becomes the remake that we (or maybe just myself) were hoping for; an updated version that trades in the slow and steady build of tension for a more deliberate sense of adrenaline and violence. I’m still not sure how I feel about Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Loomis but I think this is because he plays such a prevalent role in the part of the movie that I don’t care for; his part in the later scenes is quite enjoyable. I do approve of the casting choices of Tyler Mane as an adult Michael, Dee Wallace as Cynthia Strobe,  Brad Dourif as the town Sheriff, and a slew of special appearances including Sid Haig, Ken Foree, Udo Kier, Danny Trejo, Bill Moseley. Scout Taylor-Compton did a great job as Laurie considering who she was replacing; the role of Laurie Strobe almost felt like it was written for the young Jamie Lee Curtis so you can’t be too harsh on Scout for giving it her best to fill this legendary role and making it her own. It’s obvious that the character of Laurie Strobe is not meant to be played the same just by the lines of dialogue.

What I didn’t like –

1.       The first 35 minutes.

2.       Michael killing the Strobes.

3.       The actor who played young Michael. Oh, I guess that’s a part of the first 35 minutes…

What I liked –

1.       The scene in which Michael escapes from the mental hospital.

2.       The kids that Laurie babysits.     

3.       Scout’s version of playing Laurie.

Actor Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie Strobe (in the middle)

Actor Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strobe (on the left)

Actor Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Loomis

Actor Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis

Michael Myers 1978

 Michael Myers 2007

Michael Myers 2007

Michael Myers 1978 saying "Hello!"