Film Review: It (1990)

It (Review)
United States/1990
Format Viewed For Review: Blu-ray
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"The story is fantastic, the focus on character is appreciated, and Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise the Dancing Clown is superb."

In Derry, Maine, a group of kids known as "The Loser Club" encounter an evil demon who murders children. Thirty years later, the group is forced to return home to fight the demon again...

It, based on Stephen King's novel, is a horror epic, coming in with a huge three hour runtime. The first half frequently jumps from 1960 to 1990, but it is clean and efficient – no confusion. The first half of the film – or perhaps I should say, the first episode of the miniseries – introduces us to the characters in the present (1990) while taking us back to 1960, where each individual character has a personal encounter with the demon. The second half also tends to jump from past to present, but the changes are less frequent. During the second half, The Loser Club reunites to fight the demon and end the nightmare – once and for all. I love the first half of this film, but it starts to lose steam during the second half. It's not bad, but it's not as good. The ending is okay. It doesn't quite leave an impression, but it's not bad either.

Film Review: Lights Out (2016)

Lights Out (Review)
United States/2016
Format Viewed For Review: FandangoNow
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review!

"It felt like an early 2000s movie, following the same steps of its predecessors without even glancing at any other paths."

Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) must face a malevolent entity that lingers in the dark when said entity targets her younger brother, Martin (Gabriel Bateman)…

Lights Out is a basic horror film – as in, it covers most of the same bases of other horror movies. The film follows Rebecca, the generic character with commitment issues. She receives a call from school and finds that her brother, Martin, hasn't been sleeping. Why? Well, he's being disturbed by an entity named "Diana," who has been tormenting their mother. So, the siblings, along with Rebecca's boyfriend, work to stop the entity. There's a little more to the story, including a little background for Diana, but that's about it. The plot is thin. Fortunately, at approximately 75-minutes without credits, it doesn't over-stay its welcome by too much.

Film Review: Jaws (1975)

Jaws (Review)
United States/1975
Format Viewed For Review: Netflix Instant
Netflix Streaming: Yes
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It's a suspenseful and horrifying film."

When a great white shark terrorizes the island of Amity, the police chief, an oceanographer, and a shark hunter set out to stop it...

Jaws is a simple but effective film. The story follows Amity Island police chief, Martin Brody (Roy Scheider). After a dead body is discovered on shore, the apparent victim of a shark attack, Martin attempts to close the beach until further notice. However, the city officials are quick to cover it up – a boating accident, they say. You see, Amity relies on its beaches for summer profit, so they can't close due to a shark. Unfortunately, the shark attacks continue, which results in more fatalities. This eventually leads Martin to join oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) on a hunt. There are a few moments where the film has an inconsistent pace, but it never truly hurts the narrative. The climax is epic and the ending is moderately satisfying. I mean, it just sort of ends.

Film Review: Deep Rising (1998)

Deep Rising (Review)
United States/1998
Format Viewed For Review: VUDU
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"...an action-packed horror extravaganza."

A group of mercenaries board a cruise ship in the South China Sea, only to find themselves facing a group of powerful tentacled sea creatures...

Deep Rising is a fun movie. The film follows John Finnegan (Treat Williams) and his crew, who agree to escort Hanover and his mercenaries to a cruise ship in the middle of nowhere. The plan was simple: the mercenaries board the ship, rob the vault and passengers, then destroy the ship with torpedoes. However, the plan is derailed when the group board the ship – Finnegan included – and find that it has been ravaged by tentacled creatures. So, a simple robbery turns into a hectic evacuation as Finnegan and his crewmen, Hanover and his mercenaries, and the surviving passengers of the ship attempt to survive. It's simple but effective. The plot moves very quickly, leaving little room for filler. It leads to a strong climax and a cheesy ending.

Film Review: 31 (2016)

31 (Review)
United States/2016
Format Viewed For Review: VUDU
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"The good outweighs the bad — by a little."

A group of carnival workers are kidnapped and forced to play a game of 31, where the participants must survive twelve hours in a locked compound against a band of killer clowns...

I loved the concept for this film. Unfortunately, the execution isn't great. The plot follows a generic cast of Rob Zombie characters – despicable, vulgar people. Their characteristics didn't really bother me, I don't mind despicable characters in my stories, but it does feel by-the-books for Zombie — almost like he's simple recycling characters. Anyway, these characters are kidnapped. They awaken in a bizarre compound and forced to play a game of 31 – captives vs. clowns, basically. That's about all you really get from the plot, though. It doesn't really develop anything, including its characters or its game. It doesn't even have a definitive set of rules. It just follows the same formula over and over: enter an area, fight clowns, someone is hurt/killed, enter an area, fight clowns, someone is hurt/killed, and so on. It also feels disjointed – the pieces don't link. It all leads to a predictable ending. Admit it, you know who's going to be the last survivor.

Film Review: Zombie (1979)

Zombie (aka Zombi 2) (Review)
Italy/1979
Format Viewed For Review: Amazon Instant
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: Yes
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"If you like old-school zombie movies, especially those with slow and menacing zombies, I think you'll enjoy this one."

When a patrolman is killed on her father's wandering boat, Anne Bowles (Tisa Farrow) joins journalist Peter West (Ian McCulloch) in a search for answers...

Zombie, also known as Zombi 2, is a slow film. It's not like our modern zombie media. In fact, I'd say it's even slower than the original Dawn of the Dead. The pace works in building up the tension, but it can occasionally feel like it's dragging its feet. The plot primarily follows Anne and Peter as they travel to Matul, a Caribbean island where Anne's father was conducting research. They are joined by another couple who happen to be vacationing in the area. When they reach the island, they find it has been infested with zombies. The locals claim the rising of the dead is due to voodoo, but the island doctor begs to differ. There's not much going on in the plot, really. It feels like it could have been 10-15 minutes shorter without hurting the plot. The climax is fantastic, though.

Film Review: Wrong Turn (2003)

Wrong Turn (Review)
United States/2003
Format Viewed For Review: VUDU
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"If you're looking for a gory slasher, this film is for you."
 
In West Virginia, six people find themselves stranded in the woods and stalked by a band of cannibalistic mountain men...

There really isn't much else to say about the plot. Medical student Chris Flynn (Desmond Harrington) is traveling to a business meeting, but a chemical spill forces him to take a detour. While taking said detour, he crashes into another car parked in the middle of the road – a car that belongs to a group of five campers that drove over barbed wire. Anyway, four head into the woods for help and two stay behind. Then, they are picked off. The luckier survivors are forced to run, which sort of creates a game of hide-and-seek in the woods. That's about it, though. This simple plot leads to an equally simple ending. I didn't hate the ending, but it really didn't pack a punch – kind of underwhelming compared to the rest of the film.

Film Review: Tremors (1990)

Tremors (Review)
United States/1990
Format Viewed For Review: Amazon Prime
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: Yes
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It's a simple but exciting horror/comedy."

A small, isolated town known as 'Perfection' is attacked by subterranean creatures...

Tremors follows the residents of Perfection. It primarily follows Val (Kevin Bacon) and Earl (Fred Ward), the town handymen, as well as a graduate student studying the seismology of the area, Rhonda (Finn Carter). The characters aren't very deep, but they get the job done – they're interesting, at least. As Val and Earl plan their departure from perfection, they stumble upon several strange events – most of which include death. They soon discover that they are being hunted by underground creatures that follow their vibrations. From there, they're basically forced to fight for survival against a group of smart creatures. It's a pretty simple plot that leads to a predictable ending, but I liked it.

Film Review: Sweet Home (2015)

Sweet Home (Review)
Spain/2015
Format Viewed For Review: Netflix Instant
Netflix Streaming: Yes
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"For every violent surprise and suspenseful scene, there are two annoying plot contrivances that had me huffing and puffing."

A real estate broker and her boyfriend find themselves trapped in an old apartment building when a group of killers show up...

Sweet Home uses a very simple concept for its foundation: when real estate agencies can't get rid of tenants, they hire trained killers to silently assassinate them. Alicia (Ingrid Garcia Jonsson) plans a birthday surprise for her boyfriend, Simon (Bruno Sevilla), in an apartment building that happens to have one lingering tenant who won't leave. Alicia stumbles upon the murder while revealing her presence, which causes the couple to become a target. The windows have been boarded and the front door has been sealed. It's your fairly basic home invasion plot that has changed from a secluded house to a nearly abandoned apartment building. It leads to an incredibly generic and predictable ending.

Film Review - The Purge: Election Year (2016)

The Purge: Election Year (Review)
United States/2016
Format Viewed For Review: VUDU
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It's a rehash of the previous film with tacked-on political elements."

Former police sergeant Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) serves as head of security for Senator Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), a Presidential candidate who is targeted due to her attempts at stopping the annual Purge...

The Purge: Election Year is really more of the same. You're quickly introduced to a set of generic characters, they are attacked and forced into the streets, then they have to fight for survival. Election Year, of course, attempts to capitalize on the current political turmoil with half-assed political commentary. The New Founding Fathers are the creepy white people who control everything from behind the scenes, Senator Roan is the flawless beacon of hope that every minority can look up to – that's essentially all the film gives you. There's really not much else to talk about in terms of plot, either. Like I said, it felt like a rehash of Anarchy with a new set of paint. The ending was pretty weak, too.

Film Review: JeruZalem (2015)

JeruZalem (Review)
Israel/2015
Format Viewed For Review: Netflix Instant
Netflix Instant: Yes
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It has a very interesting concept, there are some suspenseful scenes, and it even has some great moments, but it just isn't very effective."

A pair of American friends travel to Jerusalem, where hell eventually breaks loose...

JeruZalem is a found footage-style film. It's captured through the smart glasses of Sarah (Danielle Jadelyn), a young American who travels to Jerusalem with her best friend, Rachel (Yael Grobglas). During the first half of the film, you're essentially watching a couple of douchebags doing what douchebags do. There are tidbits of interesting information here, but it's mostly a set of generic home videos. The city is beautiful, but the story is thin. The second half of the film takes off as hell breaks loose in the city and the gates are closed. So, Sarah, Rachel, and a group of survivors try to find a way out of the city. It leads to a very contrived and absurd ending.

Film Review: Halloween 2 (2009)

Halloween 2 (Review)
United States/2009
Format Viewed For Review: Blu-ray
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It works well as a basic slasher. "

Michael Myers continues to pursue his little sister Laurie Strode (Scout Taylor-Compton), who has been struggling to cope with the Halloween events one year prior...

Halloween 2 is a direct sequel to Rob Zombie's remake. The plot attempts to tackle the psychological aftermath of the events in the previous film, but it doesn't really resonate. Laurie Strode essentially suffers from horrendous flashbacks and survivor's guilt – it spends time on it, but it doesn't delve to deeply into her core problems. Laurie has moved in with Sheriff Brackett and his daughter Annie (Danielle Harris). Laurie goes around trying to live a normal life, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Michael Myers continues his pursuit of Laura while slaughtering everyone in his way. Oh, and Dr. Loomis (Malcolm McDowell) is still capitalizing on the tragedy. That's it. That's your story. It leads to an underwhelming climax and a weak ending.

Film Review: Halloween (2007)

Halloween (Review)
United States/2007
Format Viewed For Review: Amazon Instant
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: Yes
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"I recommended trying your best to ignore the original while going into this brutal slasher with an open mind."

On Halloween night, Michael Myers escapes from a mental institution and searches for his younger sister while killing anyone in his path...

Halloween, of course, is a remake of the classic 1978 film of the same name. This remake, however, also serves as a prequel. The film begins during Michael's childhood, where the boy exhibits violent behavior towards animals – one of the elements of the Macdonald triad. He ends up killing most of his family on Halloween night and he's subsequently sent to a mental institution under the care of Dr. Samuel Loomis (Malcolm McDowell), who can't seem to find a reason for the madness. Fast forward fifteen years and Michael Myers escapes from the hospital. He starts to search for his sister, stalking and killing as he pleases. We all know how the story goes. I felt like the ending dragged on for a bit too long, but I didn't hate it.

Film Review: Goodnight Mommy (2015)

Goodnight Mommy (Review)
Austria/2015
Format Viewed For Review: Amazon Instant
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: Yes
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It has a few pacing issues and the ending is disappointing, but it does offer a compelling narrative with plenty of suspense."

Twin boys becomes increasingly suspicious of their mother after she undergoes cosmetic surgery and returns with bandages wrapped around her head...

Goodnight Mommy is an interesting movie. The plot follows Elias and Lukas, twin boys, after their mother returns to their secluded home. Their mother has undergone cosmetic surgery on her face, so her head is bandaged. All is fine until the twins begin to believe their mother is acting erratically. They are convinced that the woman under the bandages is not their mother. It reaches a surprisingly bloody and gruesome climax. However, the actual ending is painfully predictable. The fact that it treats the ending as some sort of 'twist' is unfortunate because it can be seen before the first ten minutes have even elapsed.

Film Review: Feast (2005)

Feast (Review)
United States/2005
Format Viewed For Review: Blu-ray
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"...a gore-fest — nothing more, nothing less."

Trapped in a secluded bar, a group of patrons are forced to fight for survival against a group of vicious creatures.

This is usually the part of the review where I go into a little more detail about the plot. The problem here is: this film doesn't have much of a plot. I suppose that's what they were aiming for. The film serves as a parody of the creature feature sub-genre. The characters are only given nicknames, such as Bozo or Heroine. Anyway, these patrons fight for survival against these violent creatures. The patrons board up the windows and doors, try to call for help, devise some escape plans, but it never feels like it has an actual plot. It all leads to a predictable and underwhelming ending.

Film Review: The Children (2008)

The Children (Review)
United Kingdom/2008
Format Viewed For Review: Blu-ray
Netflix Instant: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"I think it's one of the best killer children movies around..."

A family vacation at a secluded house becomes a fight for survival when the children turn against the adults...

The Children is a very simple horror film. Two families get together at a secluded house to celebrate the holidays – although most of the film seems centered around Casey (Hannah Tointon), a rebellious annoying teenager, and her mother Elaine (Eva Birthistle). Anyway, the children – four kids in total – become mysteriously ill. That illness quickly becomes aggression towards adults. Before they know it, Casey, her parents, and her uncle and aunt are meticulously targeted by the kids – picked off one-by-one. Like I said, it's a simple film, but it's all very effective. The ending is abrupt, but I thought it left an ominous sensation.

Film Review: The Witch (2015)

The Witch (Review)
United States/Canada/2015
Format Viewed For Review: Amazon Instant
Amazon Prime: Yes
Netflix Streaming: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"If you're a fan of slow-burn horror movies, like those from Ty West, I think you'll enjoy this one."

Banished from their plantation, a Puritan family finds refuge in a secluded forest, where they are quickly tested by forces of witchcraft and black magic...

The Witch isn't your everyday horror film. It's a period piece set in 1630s New England. Therefore, the characters speak Ol' English. It can be hard to understand, especially when the characters speak quickly, but it does feel authentic. It helps develop the atmosphere of the film. The plot follows this small family in their farm in the secluded forest. To their dismay, they find nothing but bad luck. First, a baby vanishes into thin air – a wolf took it, they say, but we know better. The family begins to drift away from each other, especially with the burden of the blame being placed on young Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy). Soon, talk of witchcraft poisons the family... It's a fairly simple plot with little to spoil, but it's effective and interesting. The ending was good, too.

Film Review: The Presence (2014)

The Presence (Review)
Germany/2014
Format Viewed For Review: Netflix Instant
Netflix Streaming: Yes
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"Like most found footage movies, this one would have been better if it were a short film."

A group of friends stay in Hohnau Castle, which is said to be haunted by a malevolent spirit...

Is there really anything else I can say about this plot? It's pretty much your basic found-footage horror movie. Markus drags his girlfriend, Rebecca, and his friend, Lukas, to Hohnau Castle. He wants to capture proof of the supernatural so he can write about it for his Anthropology class – something like that. They go to the castle with one camera – they don't set them up everywhere – and they experience strange things. A few bumps in the night, some furniture moving, and so on. It is a very predictable movie, following a path we've seen a million times by now.

Film Review: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015)

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (Review)
United States/2015
Format Viewed For Review: Amazon Instant
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: Yes
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"I've reviewed hundreds of films for this site and this is one of the most boring movies I've ever watched."

A couple must use a camera that can see spirits to save their daughter from a malevolent entity...

In terms of plot, there isn't much to say about Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension. As usual, most of the film plays out like someone's excruciatingly boring home videos. The plot goes a little something like this: dad finds a camera that can detect spirits, he notices some ghostly figures, daughter exhibits strange behavior, and family tries to save her by any means necessary – which includes a priest, of course. That's all. The film obviously connects to the other installments, but nothing to make you say 'wow' or even capture your attention. It all leads to a very disappointing climax and a lackluster ending.

Film Review: The Other Side of the Door (2016)

The Other Side of the Door (Review)
United Kingdom/India/2016
Format Viewed For Review: VUDU
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"...a hit-or-miss horror film..."

After her son is killed in a car accident in India, a woman attempts to say her final goodbye through a special ritual that allows her to communicate with the dead. When she disobeys a sacred warning, however, she disrupts the fragile balance between life and death...

The Other Side of the Door is a hit-or-miss horror film – in terms of plot and horror. The plot follows Maria (Sarah Wayne Callies), her husband Michael (Christian Slater Jeremy Sisto), and their daughter Lucy (Sofia Rosinsky). Maria is still mourning the death of her son, Oliver, who she had to abandon during a vague car accident. Her housekeeper tells her about a special ritual at a temple that allows one to communicate to the dead. Maria just has to lock herself in the temple. However, she can not open the door for her son. Of course, Maria opens the door. From there, it turns into a fairly predictable but effective horror film. Strange things happen at home, an eerie figure begins to pursue her, and so on. The ending doesn't quite hit home, either, particularly due to a weak performance – which I'll get to in a moment.

Film Review: The Midnight Meat Train (2008)

The Midnight Meat Train (Review)
United States/2008
Format Viewed Review For Review: Starz
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"It is suspenseful, exciting, and very gory."

A photographer tracks down a serial killer who only murders late-night commuters in a subway...

The Midnight Meat Train follows Leon (Bradley Cooper), a photographer looking to capture the soul of the city with his photos. He is advised to delve deeper into the city – to continue shooting even when it becomes dangerous. This advice leads him to the city's subway system after dark. He rescues a woman from a group of thugs and he captures his image – a win-win, right? Well, the woman vanishes later that night, which leaves him conflicted. So, with the useless police out of the question, he begins to track the suspected killer – a butcher. Of course, he finds more than he could have ever imagined. This plot is an interesting blend of serial killer and supernatural horror. It does lose steam towards the end, but it still managed to entertain. The actual ending left a bit to be desired.

Film Review: I Spit on Your Grave 3: Vengeance is Mine (2015)

I Spit on Your Grave 3: Vengeance is Mine (Review)
United States/2015
Format Viewed For Review: Starz
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"...easily the worst film in the series."

Jennifer Hills, now known as Angela (Sarah Butler), begins hunting rapists in her new city...

I Spit on Your Grave 3 is a direct sequel to the 2010 remake. The film follows Jennifer Hills, who was changed her name to Angela and who has relocated to a new city. She goes to group therapy where she meets Marla (Jennifer Landon), a hard-edged woman with a foul mouth. When Marla mysteriously passes away, Angela begins hunting rapists in the city. Once again: that's all there is to the story. It doesn't take any time to develop its characters and it doesn't have any unique plot points. It's a violent, by-the-books vigilante justice film. It leads to an interesting ending that could not unfortunately save this film.

Film Review: I Spit on Your Grave 2 (2013)

I Spit on Your Grave 2 (Review)
United States/2013
Format Viewed For Review: Starz
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"The film is lacking in character, atmosphere, and suspense."

Katie (Jemma Dallender), an aspiring model, accepts an offer to have new photos taken for her portfolio for free, which leads her into a tailspin of violence...

I Spit on Your Grave 2 is a very formulaic film. By this, I mean: the film follows the exact same formula as the remake. In fact, I would argue this is a remake of a remake! The story follows Katie, a young woman with hopes of making it big as a model. She accepts an offer to have new photos taken for her portfolio, but it doesn't turn out great. Eventually, she's attacked, then she's kidnapped and shipped to Bulgaria. I don't think I'm spoiling anything by stating the obvious, so: she escapes her captors and exacts her revenge. That's it. That's all there is to say about the 'story.' It leads to a bloody climax, sure, but it doesn't leave an impression.

Film Review: I Spit on Your Grave (2010)

I Spit on Your Grave (Review)
United States/2010
Format Viewed For Review: Starz
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"...a suspenseful, unnerving, and violent horror film."

Big city novelist Jennifer Hills (Sarah Butler) drives to a secluded cabin to finish her next book, unaware of the dangerous locals prowling the area...

I Spit on Your Grave begins with Jennifer driving up to her cabin. Unfortunately, she gets lost prior to arriving and she's forced to ask some locals at a gas station for help. While doing so, she humiliates a young man (Jeff Branson) in front of his friends. She thinks nothing of it and proceeds to her cabin – where she drinks, smokes weed, and, of course, drop her phone in the toilet. It happens to all of us, right? Who needs a phone in a secluded cabin anyway, right? So, these young men show up at her cabin and rape her. There are a few twists here and there that I'll skim over for your sake, but Jennifer returns to exact her revenge. It leads to a bloody, unforgettable ending. The ending, however, also feels rushed and underwhelming – it leaves too many unanswered questions.

Film Review: The Forest (2016)

The Forest (Review)
United States/2016
Format Viewed For Review: HBO Now
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
*A 31 Days of Halloween Special Review

"The plot was forgettable, the characters were hollow, the horror was nonexistent, and, worst of all, I was bored during most of the movie."

Sara (Natalie Dormer) travels to the Aokigahara Forest in search of her twin sister, Jess.

The Forest is a generic horror film with hollow characters and a paper-thin plot. In fact, a large chunk of the film is explained to you in a disjointed montage during the first five minutes of the film. Essentially, Sara receives news that her sister, Jess, has gone missing in the Aokigahara Forest, which is an infamous location in Japan where people often commit suicide. Sara refuses to believe her sister is dead because she can 'feel' it, so she travels to Japan to find her. So, she meets a few people, specifically Aiden (Taylor Kinney), who she convinces to lead her around the dangerous forest. That's it. From there, the plot goes around in circles with the same boring scenes. Due to its lack of character, the story is dull. It drags itself along until it hits its ending – which also happens to be bad.