Final Destination 5 (2011) #461

 

A return to a favorite series, “Final Destination 5” follows in the exact foot steps of the previous films. The main character has a premonition about a massive disaster and how several people experience a gruesome death. The main character then warns everyone before the disaster occurs, temporarily saving those several other people before they end up dying in some other horrible fashion. The disasters include a plane explosion, a massive traffic pile up, a roller coaster falling apart, a racetrack speedway accident, and finally a suspension bridge under construction falling apart.

Like part 3 and 4, the survivors in “Final Destination 5” are simple character tropes that don’t have their moment to become fully developed as actual people. They have there one outstanding trait to lead them narratively to the situation that will cause their death. Since this is a horror movie, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this but I had high hopes since this felt like possible jump start to the series after part 4 was named “The Final Destination”. 

Nicolas D’Agosto stars as Sam, an inspiring chef as well as a sales associate at a manufacturing plant. He is the lucky one to experience the premonition this time around, convincing half of his coworkers to leave the bus that they were on before the bridge falls apart. He saves his girlfriend Molly, played by Emma Bell  “Frozen“, his best friend Peter, coworkers Nathan, Candice, Olivia, Issac, and his boss Dennis. He then spends the rest of the movie trying to figure out why people are still dying and how to save them. A new idea on how to stop the cycle is suggested by Bludworth, once again played by the amazing Tony Todd ("Candyman"and "Night of the Living Dead").

The main appeal to the "Final Destination" series is watching the huge disaster in the beginning and the jaw dropping crazy ways that people die afterwards. In comparison to the other films, this one does not disappoint. What doe set this one apart from the other is the fact that this was released during the most recent era of 3D movies, a time when almost every film that was released in theaters had a more expensive 3D version to watch. You can tell early on that this is the case as the film makers took every chance to use the 3D effect through the movie. This isn't too distracting if you know about this before hand and have had previous experience with such films. 

Favorite moment - Besides the main disaster scene in the beginning of the film, my favorite moment is watching Sam walk through the restaurant that he works in, seeing each and every kitchen that could be used to kill him. So, so many different ways to die in in kitchen!

Second favorite moment - Each film references the previous films, usually the original, and I love how this film does the same thing.

Final Destination (2000)

"Final Destination" is the first film in a franchise that features a different group in each film that has somehow avoided a gruesome death only to be killed off one by one in a different, violent fashion. Each film builds up on the last while adding it's own unique detail in how Death is completing it's job. The original film keeps things simple and effective, proving to have it's fair share of interesting death scenes involving whatever might be around the victim at the moment. The acting is equivalent of most slasher films and that's ok, this is just a creative slasher flick without a slasher.

A high school group is on their way for a senior trip to France, accompanied by two teacher chaperones. Alex Browning has a terrifying vision that the plane is going to explode shortly after it takes off and has a panic attack, screaming that everyone has to get off the plane. He is kicked off the plane along with his best friend, a trouble maker and his girlfriend, a kid who was running late, a chaperone, and a girl who just believed what Alex was saying. While the fight continues at the gate, the group sees the plane explode and fall into deep shock. Each one is questioned by the FBI who is highly suspicious of the event, keeping a close eye on Alex.

A month after the event, the survivors begin to die in bizarre and mysterious ways that at first look like suicides. First Alex's best friend Tod is killed in his bathroom and then at a chance meeting in town by the entire group, Terry, the rival's girlfriend, is killed when she steps in front of a speeding bus. Alex soon realizes that everyone is dying in the order that they were sitting in on the plane, essentially dying in the same order as if they had stayed on the plane. With this new information, he tries to save the next victim, the teacher Valerie but she is killed in an explosion at her house, where Alex leaves evidence that makes it look as if he killed her. Clear Rivers, the girl who followed Alex off of the plane, is still the only one who believes his theory and tries to help him solve the mystery as to how to stop Death's design.

Hatchet (2007)

"Hatchet" dives right in without apology as a comedy/horror film that really tries to be both genres. It's full of over the top gruesome death scenes, head slapping nonsense, and a plot that would be a straight forward horror story if it wasn't for some of the comments and responses that the characters make. My favorite is easily Tony Todd's cameo as the tour guide Reverend Zombie and his reasoning as to why he can't take the two main characters on a swamp tour; perfect delivery and I'm sure he had a blast performing it!

Ben is in New Orleans during Mardi Gras but his heart isn't into partying or having fun; he's still lamenting over his break up with his ex girlfriend. He decides to leave his group of friends to take a swamp tour that he had heard about a year before. His friend Marcus comes along and soon regrets it as they see who is leading the tour and who else is coming along. These include a fake movie producer and two girls who think they are starting in a scandalous video, an older married couple, and a lone woman who is looking for her dad and brother. The tour guide is only leading his second tour and crashes the boat into a submerged tree which forces everyone to abandon ship. On land they come to discover that they are right outside the house where legendary killer Victor Crowley was rumored to have been killed in a fire. It's only a rumor because he's still alive and goes on a murderous rampage, killing the tourists one by one.

Valerie on the Stairs (2006)

“Valerie on the Stairs” was adapted from a short story by Clive Barker and aired on “Masters of Horror” during its second season. The story was adapted and directed by the series creator Mick Garris and stars Christopher Llyod and Tony Todd. It’s a fairly effective production that was fun to watch.

Rob is a struggling author who is finally given a break in life when he becomes eligible to move into an apartment house where unpublished writers are allowed to stay rent free. He moves in, meets some of the odd tenants, and focuses on his writing. During the first night there, he encounters a naked woman crying on the staircase but she disappears into the walls. Rob sees her again the next day and this time the ghost interacts with him briefly before she’s scared away by her unseen tormentor. When Rob asks the other residents who Valerie is, they all play dumb. He can see through their charade and begins searching for the truth, but since this is a horror story, that’s not always a good idea…

Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

It’s another sequel, it’s another guilty pleasure, and it’s from the 90’s; “Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh”. While most people hate this movie, I really enjoyed it. It doesn’t try to repeat the same story as from the original but it manages to stay honest to it and expand on the history of the Candyman and explore a different motive for his killings. And the film takes place in New Orleans, so that alone gives it extra points and character! It occurred to me today that the Candyman, of all of the famed killers/slashers/insane franchise characters, to come across as a bully. He tends to kill the victims that haven’t called for him in front of his “emotional victim” that he uses to frame his murders around, all in order to fulfill whatever ends he wishes to achieve in that movie. Tony Todd is less commanding in this film than in his earlier appearances but he still has an ominous presence and one of the best voices a horror movie villain could wish for.

Annie Tarrant and her family become deeply involved with the mystery of the Candyman after her father is killed in the same fashion as other Candyman victims. The local authorities believe her brother Ethan is the killer but when more murders occur while he’s in jail, their sights are narrowed on to Annie. Annie makes the mistake of summoning the Candyman while looking into a mirror and saying his name five times, and now that she has his attention at last, he’s going to do everything he can to make her learn the truth about her dark family secret.

Wishmaster (1997)

"Wishmaster" is a perfect example of a movie about a dangerous and deadly demon, specifically a demon known as a Djinn. It's a great update to the classic story premise of a "genie" that grants three wishes and once those wishes are fullfilled, he is released and unbound in our realm. 

One of the fun aspects about this film are the various horror movie veterans that appear here and there throughout. From Robert Englund (who plays a main character) to James Hodder and Tony Todd. It even has Ted Raimi! Angus Scrimm even has a small part as the narrator. It's a fun treat for horror fans of the 80's and 90's.

An ancient Djinn is trapped within a gem and which was then encased in a statue. When the statue is broken, the gem is discovered and given to a jeweler to appraise it. She accidentally released the Djinn and begins a deadly game to banish him before he's set free and opens the portal between our world and his.

Favorite moment - when the Djinn collects the souls from the unknowing victims who made a wish that he granted throughout the movie. 

Candyman (1992) (edited)

“Candyman” is a 1992 horror film based off of Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden”. Like the novella “The Hellbound Heart”, certain changes were made to the story and characters so the narrative could be transferred into a full length feature film. “Candyman” has two sequels and a reboot/spiritual sequel is coming out June 2020.

Many people consider “Candyman” as a classic horror movie and it’s easy to understand why. Besides having a very memorable villain, performed perfectly by Tony Todd, the narrative of the film is taunt is chilling. There is very little violence on screen; “Candyman” is not about senseless killing. Instead, it is a smart movie that builds tension and unease throughout. When the violence is seen, or at least alluded to, it’s effectively shocking. I recently watched the film for the first time in many years and it’s more satisfying than ever.

The Candyman is nothing more than a conglomeration of different urban legends, or so grad student Helen believes. While doing research for her thesis, Helen begins hearing tales of a local legend which has several of the common themes that the most notorious legends have. These include spirits in mirrors, deranged killers, and babysitters in trouble. The one thing that everyone who is telling her about the Candyman is the same; say his name five times and he’ll appear.  As Helen continues her research, her sense of reality and legend blurs as Candyman begins to convince her that he is indeed real

Favorite moment – Whenever Candyman talks! Just how Doug Bradley is the only person worthy of playing Pinhead, Tony Todd is the only man I will ever accept at Candyman. Their voices are perfect for their respective roles and bring so much to the movies.