Friday, July 31, 2009
Test
This is just a test to see if my new domain name is linked with all the rest of the names and to see if the reconfiguration is all matched up.
Review - Fido (2006)
This was like no other zombie flick that I have seen in the sense that it combined the "innocent" era of the 1950s and the grim, grittiness of a zombie outbreak. The movie is about a typical nuclear family living in the early 50's after the Zombie Wars. In this scenario the zombies have been modified, via neck bracelet, to be the work force of the entire town thanks to ZomCom. However, when the family's young son accidentally turns off the collar temporality and the pet zombie kills an old lady; the head of security of ZomCom goes nuts. What this movie does for the this subgenre is provide "zombie sympathy" to the walking dead.
Like most zombie movies, the walking dead are perceived as horrible, vicious, man-eating monsters, however, in this movie when the zombies have the bracelet they are almost human; they have hidden emotions of love and the simple pleasures in life they once had. In this case, Fido, the pet zombie, eyeballs the housewife as though he has feeling for her, he calms down when he has a smoke and with his collar off he still restrains from eating the little boy and the housewife. Evidenced by these actions we can assume in this movie the zombie, Fido, is not the bad guy, but rather a protector and a friend of the family.
From Blogger Pictures
The movie effectively shows the image of the typical Norman Rockwell house and the stereotypical nuclear family. The yellow house with a garage, white picket fence, the stay at home mom with the Jaclyn Kennedy pearls and father who smokes his pipe and plays golf. The set design is beautiful and really stands out in the movie. They have the vintage cars; the costuming was amazing and even the music fits the time era. The production design wasn't your typical indie or even zombie-horror movie, but rather a great experiment with color and editing. It was an overall outstanding achievement.
The acting in this movie wasn't that bad, but it wasn't the good either, but because this movie is supposed to have a calm, innocent feel to it the acting must be the same way. The only real postal-type acting that was good in this movie was by Henry Czerny, who plays Mr. Bottoms the Security Manager of ZomCom. There was great acting by Billy Connolly, who plays Fido and Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays Helen Robinson. However, K'Sun Ray, who plays Timmy Robinson, steals the show. But each of these characters has a somber and calm emotion throughout the movie that I think could have been amped by tenser emotions.
From Blogger Pictures
There weren’t any real scares in this movie, not even gore except till the end, but this movie makes up for the lack of scares with great zombie characterization and a brilliant achievement in production design. Aside from some okay acting and a radiantly crafted satire piece, this movie was a great "horror" movie for anybody who loves zombie comedy movies like Shaun of the Dead. It's not necessarily a parody on zombie flicks, but a new outlook on them. I would recommend this movie to any horror fan, but if you’re looking for something with a kick and a scare here and there, than you may want to avoid this movie.
Trick or Treat Bags
So I am as happy as a clam because I just got an email saying that I won the bid for an actual Comic-Con "Trick R' Treat" bag with "Watchman" on the other side. YAY!!!! I also won another "Trick R' Treat" bag from a website giveaway!!!! I am so happy right now and pictures will be coming soon. Now a little piece of Comic-Con can be with me.
The Ultimate Top 10
Since I was gratefully welcomed in by Only Good Movies when I did my post for the movie "Wishmaster," I thought that I would return the favor. I just looked over their list of horror movie villains and I was simply amazed at all their Top 10 lists and how many different villains there are out there. I might even do some of them as movie tributes too... actually, now that I think about it I will. Sophisticated villains will be my cup of tea.
Thanks again Only Good Movies and click here for the link to the lists. You won't be displeased.
Review - The Orphan (2009)
So I just saw possibly one of the strangest horror movies that I’ve seen in a couple of years. It was “The Orphan” and all I can say about this movie was: Wow!!!! What the fuck did I just watch and why did I like it so much? The movie centers on a family of four who is recovering from a miscarriage and the mother adapts a very shy young girl… unfortunately, this girl proves to be highly disturbed and she has a secret she is hiding.
From Blogger Pictures
First off, lets start with the horror aspect of this movie. This movie builds up so much tension and sets up so many different camera angles to a point where you think something will jump out at you but nothing really happens. But, there were a few ‘jump-out’ scenes and some events were pretty disturbing. I won’t give anything away but there is one really freaky scene near the end that involves a black light and for some reason it just gave me chills. Though, giving the material this movie can easily be a slasher/thriller kind of movie.
What I also enjoyed about this movie was that it was sad, it had a storyline to it and it had a real legit family issue and this was a real family trying to cope with things. There were very touching moments and even some really heartwarming scenes with Esther. You can sort of compare this to some of the Japanese horror movies when it comes to family issues and morals but some of the scenes, I won’t name them, were just down right funny and over the top.
From Blogger Pictures
All I can say about this movie is that it was a thrill right that had you saying, “What the fuck is going on” at almost every point in the storyline. The girl who plays Esther does a fantastic job of being downright creepy and sadistic and whether or not she is from Russia… she really had a good Americanized Russian accent. You have to go into this movie with an anything-is-possible mindset otherwise you’ll be disappointed. What I can say is, I wished Jimmy Bennett’s character died. Is that wrong for me to wish that?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Review - The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
From Blogger Pictures
This movie is like punk rock meets "American Graffiti" meets "Night of the Living Dead," when all mixed together you get “Return of the Living Dead;” probably one of the best zombie flicks that was not done by George A. Romero. Essentially this movie is about a group of people and young rebels who unwillingly, and accidentally, open a drum of chemicals that brings the dead back to life. This movie is very well made since it made numerous references to "Night.” The only thing that I did not like about this movie was the overuse of the F word and the unnecessary nudity.
First off, the plot structure was vastly different from your typical zombie flick, in a good way. It plays on the fact that "Night" really happened and it was true about the dead coming to life. It provides a reasonable and logical explanation behind the walking dead. While everybody knows that to kill a zombie, you must take the head off or damage the brain; in this movie, this is not true, they are still living after you take the head off. You cannot kill what is already dead. What was so different about these zombies was that they were completely conscience of their actions, they can talk and they provide, through dialogue, why they have the craving for brains. I find this approach very unique and very different. This movie even plays on the theme of individualism through the lead rebel of the rebellious gang. He explains that his clothes, which is nothing but black leather and chains, is an expression of his being, but never explains why. Therefore it provides great irony. To some extent it shows the rebellious side of the 80s.
From Blogger Pictures
The acting was very similar to that of The Toxic Avenger; it was so over-dramatic that it was good. Two the lead characters in the beginning of the movie, played by James Karen and John Philbin, did a great job playing a panicky role, but so overdone. The roles and performances that deserve a big applause for "Most Over-dramatic Performance" should go to Mark Venturini, who lays Suicide, Linnea Quigley, who plays Trash the death enthusiast and Beverley Randolph, who is the love interest of Phipin's Chuck character. However, if not for these performances, this movie would not have the b-movie feel that made this film so entertaining. When you think about it, it's the acting that makes it work.
The blood and the gore is very limited when you compare it to some zombie flicks, however, it is very effective. The gore limits itself to zombie make-up so that way they don't overpower the film with unnecessary gore. There is a scene, that should be notable, that has a zombie melting and decomposing which I though was very well done for it's time. Even at some points were directors would go crazy with blood and guts, they try not to embellish it; this style is best shown through one of the zombies that just got acid thrown on its face, but there is not blood, just a cauterized face. I guess for me there were more funny scenes then scary scenes, but that's another thing that makes this movie work so much, the almost slapstick, tongue-in-cheek horror.
From Blogger Pictures
The one thing that I really enjoyed about this film is the punk rock theme that was present through the entire film. As soon as the zombies bust out o the ground, hard rock and roll starts to blast through the speakers. It really brings the zombie genre to a whole new level of excellence. Even a majority of the main characters seem like they kind of guys that like rock and roll. It's just a fun theme to play with and works very well with the zombie genre. Though for me, it really gave this movie that retro 80s theme that I love so much.
Overall, this movie is just one great roller coaster with some great thrills, creature features, rock and roll, over-dramatic acting and a whole mess of zombies. I'm glad that this movie was made because it paves the road for a whole new outlook on the zombie genre and give a new style of viewing the living dead. It's just a fun movie to watch and just really entertaining. I would strongly recommend this movie for anybody who loves zombie flicks as well as Romero fans. For me, I love this movie way too much.Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Review - Slither (2006)
Hey everybody, check out my latest review for the horror/comedy movie "Slither." This was one of my favorite movies that I saw in the theater and since it was written and directed by somebody who worked in the Troma business... it just added to the wackiness of this movie.
****SPOILER****
The next review that I will be doing is "Return of the Living Dead."
LINK ME
You can link my blog to your webpage or website using the codes that I have provided.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Here is the code. Copy and paste it to your webpage/blog:
If you want a link back to your site on this blog, send me an email and provide the banner HTML code or the banner picture address or send me the URL to your website and I will post it up... just so long as you can return the favor.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Recutting "Jurassic Park"
I just got a brilliant idea from my BuyZombie partner to recut the film “Jurassic Park” and turn it into a horror movie. Though JP already is a pretty horrifying movie during some scenes but I told him that I could recut a trailer to make it look like a horror movie. It’s not the first time I did this… for a high school movie project I recut the movie “E.T.” and made it look like a horror movie. And it worked out just well.
Below is the conversation.
FreddysFingers
I have a long day of HTML coding ahead of me and then I have to send a few emails!! Then..... "Jurassic Park" Night!!!!
about 7 hours ago from web
BuyZombie@FreddysFingers I wonder if we could recut Jurassic Park as a horror movie *pulls at goatee*
about 7 hours ago from web in reply to FreddysFingers
FreddysFingers
@BuyZombie You know.... give me some time and I can recut it into a trailer that makes it look like a horror movie... would that work?
about 7 hours ago from web in reply to BuyZombie
BuyZombie@FreddysFingers *laughs* No rush it was just a thought that ran through my head ;)
about 6 hours ago from web in reply to FreddysFingers
FreddysFingers
@BuyZombie yeah, but you inspired me!!!!
about 5 hours ago from web in reply to BuyZombie
He was shocked that I took his remark seriously so, in addition to making a video review for “Jurassic Park,” I guess I will be tinkering around with the video footage to make a horror movie trailer.
Trailer - The Collector (2009)
So this new movie is coming out called “The Collector” and it looks interesting enough coming from the guys who butchered the “Saw” movies. Although, what people have been saying is that this movie would redefine modern movies in the sense that it’s creating a whole new original villain… something that is very very rare today. That may be, he wears a mask that looks like very similar to Cronenberg’s character from “Nightbreed.” From the trailer it looks like this is going to be a movie that is very similar to “Saw” since the killer sets up deadly traps throughout the house. I hope that it does not come anywhere close to “Saw.”
If this is a new original villain, maybe it might redeem horror movies today but I am not holding my breath since everything nowadays seems borrowed or stolen.
The Movie Monsters
As many of you may, or may not or even care about… I am a huge “Cloverfield” fan and anything that is “Cloverfield” related I go monkey shit over. Well, I found this image online and I don’t know who made it but it’s an interesting picture of the scale of each horror, sci-fi, and action movie monster. It is too scale and it just shows you how small Chucky is or how tall the Stay Puft Marshmallow man is compared to Clover, who is the largest movie monster yet. You can click on the image to see the full size of it since I uploaded it to Picasa.
From Blogger Pictures
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Review - Vampires (1998)
From Blogger Pictures
Last night I got done watching one of my favorite vampire movies: “John Carpenter’s Vampires.” I have always liked this movie ever since I was younger. I’d always pop it in the VHS player and just become enthralled in the action and the horror of it all. But, there was something that I have always like about this movie more then just the makeup, effects and scares… something that I could not put my hand on until now. It’s the way that this movie was photographed.
It’s a beautifully shot movie in the style of the typical westerns. Though the movie doesn’t typically follow the general structure of classic Hollywood westerns it’s very easy to see that Carpenter was heavily inspired by Sergio Leone flicks. Take for example the beginning sequence when James Wood’s character Jack Crow is staring right at the screen with his sunglasses on. This is a reference to the extreme close-ups that Leone pioneered in his western movies; extreme close-ups showing all the sweat and wrinkles and facial features of the face.
From Blogger Pictures
Another scene that is very reminiscent of the western genre is when Jan Valek arises from the ground along with all of his minions and then they walk slowly towards the camera while dirt is blowing against their bodies. This reminded me of the scene in “Once Upon A Time in the West” when Frank emerges from the bushes and kills that kid.
One thing that most early westerns pioneered is the use of the establishing shot, where the movie takes place and this movie has so many wonderfully photographed shots of the landscape, barns, windmills and abandoned old towns. Even the beginning title of “Vampires” is homage to your traditional John Ford western flicks.
From Blogger Pictures
So, in perspective it can be debated that this movie is in fact a western horror movie and I think that Carpenter really delivered. John did a great job with an acoustic score but what would have been awesome would be if Ennio Morricone did the score. Imagine that electric guitar and high pitched strings… give me goosebumps.
Thorax Cake
Yes folks, for us horror fans I have found several disgusting looking cakes on this blog that would please us very much. Everything from a thorax cake to heart cupcakes to brain cakes. Now all you gorehounds that want to eat human remains without actually eating real human remains can!!!! Though I am not a good cook I hope to one day find somebody that could make this cake so that I can taste it. This would be great for a Halloween party.
Click here for the link.
Here is the rundown of what each organ is:
Heart - orange cake with raspberry sauce
Lungs - apple spice cake with strawberry sauce
Kidneys - orange cake with blueberry sauce
Stomach - ginger cake with mango sauce
Liver - chocolate cake with kiwi sauce
Small Intestine - jelly roll with red currant jelly
Lungs - apple spice cake with strawberry sauce
Kidneys - orange cake with blueberry sauce
Stomach - ginger cake with mango sauce
Liver - chocolate cake with kiwi sauce
Small Intestine - jelly roll with red currant jelly
Trick r' Treat Website
So, my most anticipated new horror movie finally got it's website up and running and I am happy as a clam!!!! This means it's not long till it gets released and I am a giddy as a schoolgirl. The website looks awesome and it's not one of those typical click and direct websites it has flash players and tons of cool images and stuff. I found this by Googling the movie... when in doubt Google it up.
I'll definitely become a fan of them on Facebook.
Horror Blogging
So… Fangoria did an expose on the value of horror blogging – although they mentioned more of the well-known horror bloggers out there that does not exlude me since it was a general statement. Although I have heard of the Tana Tea Drinkers and I am not sure if I qualify to be part of that group I am still happy that Fangoria supported all of us bloggers. Which mean… I am still going to blog about horror movies and nothing else. Later on I will be doing a technical run down of John Carpenter’s “Vampires.”
The Importance of HORROR BLOGGING
The League of Tana Tea Drinkers’
^ Those are the links.
The Importance of HORROR BLOGGING
The League of Tana Tea Drinkers’
^ Those are the links.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
Though technically not a horror movie I feel as though I must address this movie since it is one of Tim Burton's most anticipated films. The trailer came directly from Comic-Con and from what I have seen it definitely looks amazing. It has that Burtonish look to it and it doesn't look like it's going to disappoint. Also, the use of the score to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" isn't going unnoticed.
Comic-Con Quote
Somebody, that I am following on Twitter, gave us a quote from Comic-Con by Kevin Smith and I all I can do is laugh and agree with him: "Twilight is like porn for Children."
Damn it!!!! I need to go to Comic-Con and someday I will damn it!
BuyZombie.com
Hooray!!!! I am now a reviewer on a Chicago-based website known as BuyZombie.com, where they discuss anything and everything that has to do with zombies. In addition to posting reviews on my personal blog… the reviews that deal with zombie flicks will also be posted to BuyZombie too. My reviews would be under the name Rick Romanowski and my username would of course be FreddysFingers much like my Twitter.
Here is there official ‘About’ page:
“Started in 2007, BuyZombie is a site for Zombie Fans. While the started as an ever-growing database of everything Zombie related you can buy or do on the Internet it has since grown to be a hub for zombie news, media, reviews, and announcements! As time goes on we hope continue to have a complete Zombie Product database, keep you up to date on the undead happenings, as well as more features for you all to enjoy.”
So this is my first step into trying to dip my hands in as many horror-related websites as possible. There are several other websites that I want to try out for, none of the big name ones because it’s highly unlikely that I will get anywhere but for now I’ll go for more of the indie websites.
Once again… the website is buyzombie.com
Follow them on Twitter as well.
Friday, July 24, 2009
No Comic-Con This Year
So, due to money constraints I am unable to make this years Comic-Con… not like I ever had the money, but I will be bringing back souvenirs from Comic-Con on Ebay. That’s why I will be in the bidding race for this “Trick r’ Treat” and “Watchman” bags! Mark my words; I will get my hands on those bags even if it kills me…. Click here
Thursday, July 23, 2009
"Nightmare on Elm" Poster
Okay, and here is the poster for the new “Nightmare on Elm Street” movie and in my honest opinion… it looks like a kick as poster but it still doesn’t mean that the movie is going to suck. They are trying to introduce to this generation of horror when in all honesty this generation has no respect for what classic horror is! They are filling their heads with mindless remakes and that’s why they have not respect, because all they know is remakes and sequels. It’s sickening.
From Blogger Pictures
Trick or Treat
So finally after all these months of waiting and waiting and waiting one of the most anticipated horror movies is finally getting released on DVD – “Trick r’ Treat.” I first saw the preview of this movie and I was blown away by it and it looks like one of the most original horror movie in years. I wanted it to get a theatrical release but instead it’s getting a straight-to-DVD release instead, which I guess it’s okay just as long as I get to see it. I’ll be buying it regardless.
From Blogger Pictures
What I cannot understand is why none of the big-brand studios wanted to release this movie, I mean, it got a universal liking by all the critics even Ebert and Roper gave it a great review. Lionsgate dropped it, even though they are known for supporting indie horror, Universal dropped it and that was a studio founded on horror… so why not pick it up? I would!
I’m just glad that it’s finally coming out and know I can finally see a great original Halloween themed movie that combines slasher with supernatural… and I am happy as a clam.
Pictures from "Nightmare on Elm"
So, Bloody-Disgusting released some leaked pictures of the new "Nightmare on Elm Street" remake and I really enjoy the first one where Freddy is in the shadows. I really do not approve of this remake because it's not necessary and I feel as though it's not Elm Street if Robert Englund is not Freddy Krueger.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Then, when I see this picture below all I can do is laugh at it because it doesn't look like he was burned, it looks like he was some kind of alien or something that got singed with acid or something. At least the first movie still looked like he was burned and not disfigured.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
I don't know... I'll probably end up seeing this anyway just because "Nightmare on Elm" was one of my favorite movies as a kid and I will hate it if they end up butchering this movie.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Top 70 Vampire Movies
Here is a list that I found very amusing... the top 70 vampire movies of all time. Now, most of these films I have not seen and some of them I have but after looking through this list it has inspired me to make a video tribute for the top 10 vampire movies of the modern age. This would be my own personal list.
Here is the original Top 70 Vampire Movies of All Time.
Review - Graduation Day (1981)
Here are my initial thoughts on the movie “Graduation Day.” I am sorry that it was a little delayed. I also want to thank my good good friend NinjaBunny89 for supplying me with the DVD so that I can review it.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention
Hi,
I want you to take a look at: Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention
I am planning on going there this year and I want to get the Ultimate package or even the Gold package but I am afraid that I might only be able to get the weekend pass.... and I really want to meet Tony Todd, Lance Henriksen, Emily Perkins and Mercedes McNab!!!!!
Although If I do go, then I promise to have pictures up very very shortly afterwards.
I AM GOING TO THIS CONVENTION THIS YEAR SO HELP ME GOD!!!!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Top 10 Horror Movie Villains Video
This is a visual list of the top ten horror movie villains of the modern horror age, which means it does not include any of the older horror movie villains. I used a list that I thought was better written and more thoughtful than any of the other lists that I found online and the list was created by The Geeks of Doom. The website below is the source of this video.
http://geeksofdoom.com/2006/10/17/the-20-scariest-horror-movie-killers
It took me a while to make this video and there are still kinks and some audio problems that got caught up in the playback but I think that it turned out a lot better then I initially thought.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Welcome to Fright Night
I have always loved the movie “Fright Night” ever since I was a kid. I loved the special effects, I loved the comedy and I love the idea that this was your typical vampire movie with a twist… and that is the fact that these are not your conventional vampire hunters, they are a high school teenager and a TV personality and that is what I love. But there was always something that I wish could come true about this movie: I wish the TV show ‘Fright Night’ was real and that Peter Vincent was a real person.
Think about it, his show would probably be as popular or more popular then ‘Vampira’ or ‘Svengoolie,” and if the show really had Robby McDowell then it would be twice as better. Although, if it were the show from the second “Fright Night” movie then it wouldn’t be as good.
From Blogger Pictures
Hell, if I was recruiting vampire hunters I would choose Mr. Vincent… along with Jack Crow, The Frog Brothers, Van Helsing, Caleb Colton, Seth Gecko and Blade.
Looking back on this, Mr. Vincent actually seems like the more seldom one out of the gang, the other hunters would eat the poor guy out. Either way, I think this is a good list. If only ‘Fright Night’ existed... think about how many Emmys it would win.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Most Memorable Horror Movie Quotes
Blog Entry: 5049796
Shared via AddThis
Shared via AddThis
I read this online off of a post made on Twitter and after reading it, I have to agree that those are some very famous quotes from horror movies. This article, like the Top Villains article by the Geeks of Doom, has inspired me to make a video off of this that I will eventually upload to the web. I just don't know how I will make this video but I'll eventually get it.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Remake - Let the Right One In
From Blogger Pictures
So I just found out that there is another horror movie that is being remade, this time it’s a foreign horror movie that has been beloved by vampire fans from all over the world; “Let the Right One In.” I just got this article from a friend on Twitter and all I have to say is that it is terrible, it’s ridiculous, it’s sickening, it’s rape and it’s unnecessary. My biggest problem is: “Let the Right One In” just came out about a year ago if not 2, which means they are literally making remakes to movies that are within years time. What’s to stop them from remaking “Slither” or “Saw?” Another major biggie I have with this is, since when in fuck’s sake was Oskar Ellie 5-years-old? What is even more disappointing is that Matt Reeves is directing this movie, the same guy behind the genius that is "Cloverfield," and though I am not in good terms with remakes, this might be good if Reeves does not fuck it up... but I am not holding my breath. Why would somebody like him remake something when he directing something so original? Maybe I am being too bias but it is still uncalled for.
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/13/let-me-in-movie-posters/
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My New Cell
So I heard that John Harrison (who composed “Creepshow” and “Day of the Dead”) is writing the teleplay for the Stephen King book ‘Cell,’ which was going to be adapted into a movie by Eli Roth but is not being adapted into a four-hour mini series. I enjoy John Harrison’s direction, and he stated that he wouldn’t mind directing it if the opportunity came along… but for now, it’s being written and handed to several channels to pick up. I wouldn’t mind seeing this on TV, as long as it’s written properly and not raped and I hope HBO picks it up cause then it would be amazing! But if one of the other networks does then I am fine.
From Blogger Pictures
I was a huge fan of ‘Cell’ and seeing Eli Roth drop out of this was a little bit of a relief. I just wasn’t a fan of “Hostel.”
Monday, July 13, 2009
Review - Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
I know it’s not technically considered horror, but rather a black comedy or a musical, but it had a man-eating plant so I feel that I must talk about it… and I am of course talking about “Little Shop of Horrors.” Here are my initial thoughts on the movie that I love so much:
This is the kind of movie that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to sing-along with and it has great musical numbers and fantastic set designs that I enjoyed so much. If it weren’t on film that I could almost imagine it being on stage, even though it was. And the puppetry, what can I say other then Jim Henson did another wonderful job.
From Blogger Pictures
There are some pretty creepy and morbid scenes in this movie… which is Frank Oz’s style, that I got scared of when I was a kid, those include: any of the times that Audrey II eats somebody, that whole scene when he calls Audrey, the dentist scene and the ending when he crashes the building down. This is such a more amped up version of the Roger Corman classic.
Even the casting was brilliant, who would have thought that Moranis would have delivered or what about Levi Stubbs from the Four Tops? Hell, even the cameos by Bill Murry, John Candy and Jim Belushi.
From Blogger Pictures
I don’t how else to show my appreciation for this movie and the hopes to one day see it on a Broadway play. Hell, I owned a Venus Fly Trap that I named Audrey II and it loved flies and spiders… unfortunately it died. But her spirit will live forever in the little shop of horrors.
Respect the Plants
I don’t see why people hated “The Ruins.” I loved it and from what I read it was because of the whole ringing/whispering flowers… c’mon, it wasn’t that cheesy. In fact, it was pretty cool and actually pretty scary. There are flowers out there that imitate sounds and smells to lure prey towards them, so why can’t this be any different? I think that people are bashing this video simply because of that reason when they should be looking at the overall picture and they’ll see it really is a good, gritty movie.
In the famous words of Annie Wilkes:
“That’ll be like junking a Mercedes just because it had a broken spring.”
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Review - The Ruins (2008)
I will be honest and state that when I went into go see this movie, I had low expectations and I prepared myself to walk out of the theater in utter disgust, but surprisingly that wasn't the case. It was probably one of the best movies of the 'killer plants' subgenre that I have ever seen. This movie has some pretty intense horror scenes as well as primitive surgery; it has some top-notch acting and a very out of the ordinary plot line to drive it.
From Blogger Pictures
To begin, this movie had a great amount of gore and horror to it, which I did not expect to any stretch of the imagination. The gore in this movie should mostly be attributed to the primitive surgeries that the kids had to resort to in order to rid themselves of the deadly plant worms. In one scene, they had to break, cut off and cauterize a character's legs. There are many scenes that involved skin removal and vines growing into people's body. I honestly did not expect any of this to be in the movie. As for the horror, you'd think that flowers that can imitate a cell phone ring would be campy, but they manage to scare you by tricking you into believing it would be funny scene. I think that most of the actual 'jump out scares' are within the temple and involve the creeping vines but as far as that, the only thing that is scary is the repulsive the med-school surgery.
The acting in the movie was outstanding and seemed as though it was natural dialogue. I think that the two most notable and, for me, the most memorable is the performance by Jonathan Tucker and Laura Ramsey
From Blogger Pictures
There have been many movies that have revolved around killer plants (Creepshow 2, The Double Garden and The Land Unknown). However, what they all have in common is that the plants are just plants and they are not intelligent. The one horror/musical that comes to mind that has a smart plant is "Little Shop of Horrors." The plants in this movie have flows, that if they vibrate in a certain way their pedals and ovary resemble a sound close to a cell phone ring or whispering. It sounds cheesy and stupid, but it's not. The story focus a lot on the plants, but it also focuses on the paranoia that the kids have as well as their sanity break down. This is effective because then the whole movie does not rely on the plants as their main "scare factor." Overall, I think this movie is going to be one of those films that will be overlooked as just another stupid plant-dumb-teenager-vacationers horror movie when it's not. This is a teenage oriented horror movie so if you like teen slashers or teenage-vacation-gone-wrong movies, you'll love this movie. As for me, I thought it was one of the best-executed adapted stories from a horror novel.
Why Loomis is Awesome
I love the movie “Halloween” and it’s one of my favorite slashers but what I especially like about this movie is one of the key characters in the movie… not Michael, not Laurie but rather Dr. Samuel Loomis. Why do I like his character? Because he really cares about Michael, he seems like the only person to understand him and he is the kind of guy who looks awkward holding a gun but when he does he’s dangerous. He is funny, evidenced when he scares those kids from the Myers house and really want to help Michael but can’t.
Unlike the remake, he’s not out for money or to expose Michael for profit, he doesn’t look like a hippy and in the remake he’s not as funny. I enjoy McDowell’s performances but I don’t think that anybody could ever knock the character down as well as Pleasence.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Jackal
I have always loved “The Omen” and how it’s one of the few evil-child/biblical horror stories out there aside from “Rosemary’s Baby” or “The Exorcist,” this movie is almost like a psychological horror of sorts. You know Damien is evil but you never see him directly affect the animals around him or cause certain things to happen… he evil but he still retains his boyish personality.
What I think is the creepiest scene in this movie is when Robert and Jennings open up the coffin to Damien’s real mom and find out that it is the skeletal remains of a jackal. It’s just so creepy because of exactly that… the mom is not human but rather an animal, the bottom feeder of the animal kingdom. It’s just terrifying and it’s something that always scared me as a kid.
The "Common Life"
Just a simple thought, I just got done watching “Hellraiser 3” and out of all the demons and monsters that have been portrayed on film…. The Cenobites are my favorite. They look like mutations and they dress in sadomasochistic clothing and they look disgusting. What else is there to say? Although since the first “Hellraiser” they have lost their charm, my favorite Cenobite has to be the adorable Butterball.
He is so pudgy, he wears shades, he waddles and he is just an overall butterball. I mean, honestly, can you say no to that face:
From Blogger Pictures
God Bless Texas
You know what I really liked about “Texas Chainsaw” is the raw grittiness of the movie. The movie is shot as thought it was a hand held Super 8 and the dialogue is spoken as thought it was half improve and half scripted, which makes the movie seem more realistic and puts you right in the movie. Even the set and the atmosphere gives the movie this creepy, rustic, raw look to it… like a wound that had been let open to fester and rot. The movie is tense, brutal and very unforgiving with a slight note of comedy.
The scene where they try to make the Grandpa hit the girl over the head with a hammer is an example of dark comedy at it’s finest. He is so old and dying and he is still trying to kill this woman and he keeps dropping the hammer and his relatives keep trying to help him.
What I also notices is that this movie reminds me a lot of “Last House on the Left” in the sense of it’s brutality and violence and that something like this can happen… what’s the worst thing that a human can do to another human and this is the answer. It has a sort of exploitation feel to it and that is something that I like seeing in this movie. What also helps is that the narration in the beginning says that this was a true account… that alone is frightening.
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Phantastic Phantasm
From Blogger Pictures
I have always loved “Phantasm” even the second one had some great scenes in it but what I never understood was the Sentinel Spheres. Yes, I understand that they drill into your head and suck out all the blood from your body… but in second movie, from what I remember, they replace your blood with yellow liquid; what is that yellow liquid. I was always under the impression that it was formaldehyde or ammonia.
Another thing, after watching the first one… in the ending when Reggie was talking to Mike he kind of was acting a little creepy. He said that he was going to take him far away on a road trip, and then he began hugging him and petting him. Just an observation that I noticed that would have been frowned upon in today’s society.
I Wish "Wishmaster 3" Was Better
Well I got done watching “Wishmaster 3” and I hated this movie. I have to give them credit because they really tried to give this movie heart but they failed. There were a number of problems that this movie had that made it so bad and the number one reason is because they didn’t have Andrew Divoff in this movie… it’s not “Wishmaster” without him. He has that smile, the placid voice and that deadpan humor that makes him so great.
Second, in this movie… the Djinn looks incredibly fake and nothing like the Djinn from the first 2. He has wrinkles, it’s obvious that it is a costume and when he transforms into the Djinn, its just CGI rather then puppetry…, which is something, I admire from the other movies.
The plot was stupid!! I do not think there should have been a battle between angels and demons and a sword should be in this series. It’s unnecessary.
What made the first two so much better is that the Djinn was patient enough and persuaded people into wishing for stuff… rather then be an asshole about it. Consider this:
WISHMASTER I
Wishmaster: “Am I to understand that you do not wish to see this?”
Mortition: “Uh-huh.”
Wishmaster: “Very well.”
WISHMASTER III
Wishmaster: “You can wish it away.”
Girl: “Never!”
Wishmaster: “Wish it!”
He’s a little bit more patient and elegant in the first movie. Plus, in third installment he isn’t funny and he doesn’t have that charm.
I don’t know, this movie was a mess and I don’t think there was anyway they could have done better with this movie. There were so many things they should have taken out and they shouldn’t have made this in the fist place.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
My Djinn, Talkin' About My Djinn
From Blogger Pictures
Another thing that I have noticed while I am watching “Wishmaster,” Andrew Divoff does an amazing job playing the Djinn demon and I think that the whole take up on the magic genie genre was pretty interesting to see it reversed. I think that what I really enjoyed about this movie was how the Djinn tries to fit in out society and how his language evolves over the century.
For example: “If you can’t beat ‘em, burn them… baby.” Only a Djinn would say that.
And only Andrew could pull off such a character and even when he is in his human form he has that smile and that look that just send shivers down your spine. It’s great to see him in the 2 “Wishmasters” and even in the “Indiana Jones” movie but I really wish that he would be in more movies.
The Djinn is one of those characters that should have been recognized because he is a funny, wicked guy… the scene where the policeman orders him to walk away and he has to even though he needs to get in. I think when the Djinn says “do you know what it feels like to be told what to do based on wishes” pretty much sums this guy up. He is not just any kind of Djinn… he is my Djinn.
I Wish For More Horror Respect
I am sitting here watching “Wishmaster” and I started to notice the special effects, puppetry and makeup effects throughout the movie. The scenes in particular that I think stand out are the beginning prologue scenes, the transformation scene in the laboratory and the end party scenes. Of course, today the effects are a little mediocre and perhaps even laughable but for this time these effects were amazing and they truly were sight to see.
I’ve asked some people that I know if they have seen this movie and all they end up telling me is that the movie was so corny that it was enjoyable. Too a point it can be a little campy with the one-liners but when I first saw this movie it freaked the shit out of me. People nowadays have it easy, they are so used to CGI and animation that when they see good old fashioned puppets they mock it and don’t respect it for what it was back in the day… an art.
If the Wishmaster were here, I would wish for the younger generation to have a little more respect for the horror genre back then.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Arachnophobia
I am currently watching one of my favorite horror movies “Arachnophobia” and what I noticed is that this movie is the perfect blend of horror and campiness and John Goodman steals the show. I have always admired this movie for what it was and someday, in the near future, I will do an extensive review on why I love this movie so much. It’s a paradox; I have a morbid fear of spiders yet I love this movie… I guess, I truly to enjoy getting pants shitting scared
Below is the song “Don’t Bug Me,” sung by Jimmy Buffett who is my favorite artist. When I first heard it I thought it was some other guy but then when I looked on the soundtrack listing it said that it was actually Mr. Buffett himself and then I realized: so that’s why it sounded so good.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Trailer - Zombieland (2009)
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| From Blogger Pictures |
I viewed this trailer with a friend of mine and all I can say is that it looks awesome!!!! The movie is “Zombieland” and its, from what I can gather, a movie about a world overrun by zombies and there is a competition on who is the best zombie killer. The movie is packed with action, and it looks gory and hysterically fun… but it looks fun in a stupid way. But, it’s a zombie film so I feel like I should give this movie a watch and maybe it will be as good as it looks.
Trailer - The Stepfather (2009)
From Blogger Pictures
So I saw the trailer for the upcoming thriller/horror movie called “The Stepfather” and I can say is… wow, does it look stupid? The plot is simple and it looks like it’s going to be very predictable. He’s either the killer, or, most unlikely, not the killer. My first impression on it was that it looked like a family dramedy that went terribly wrong about midway into the trailer… but it looked to me that that trailer gave away too much of the plot. Either way, I probably will end up seeing it.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
ARCHIVES
My Reviews:
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2011)
Dreadville: The Lottery & Love, Death and Blueberry Pancakes (2009)
Flying Saucer Rock'n'Roll (2007)
Jack Frost 2: Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman (2000)
Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)
My Bloody Valentine (1981)(2009)
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
The Thing (1982) by Kevin Carr
The Thing (1982) by Death Rocker
Trailer Reviews
The Collector (TRAILER) (2009)
Hobo With A Shotgun (TRAILER) (2011)
Shutter Island (TRAILER) (2009)
The Stepfather (TRAILER) (2009)
Zombieland (TRAILER) (RED BAND) (2009)
Soundtrack Reviews
Sunshine - (Adagio in D Minor) (2007)
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