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Hatchet 3 review

Posted in Other Slashers with tags , , , , , , , on June 16, 2013 by Alex Roy

Hatchet-3-2013-Movie-Poster

Hatchet III (2013)

Tagline: The legend never dies

Directed by:
BJ McDonnell

Produced by:
Sarah Elbert
Adam Green

Run Time:
80 minutes

Released:
June 14, 2013

Review:

Third part in the Hatchet trilogy is a satisfying gory treat that retains the traditional elements of the previous two films, and adds to the story something that is sure to delight fans of the first two films. What makes this film really good is the fact that the filmmakers have cast some terrific horror icons to star in the film. Sid Haig is here along with Danielle Harris and Caroline Williams. The film also boasts impressive gore sequences that will appeal to the most diehard gorehound. Hatchet 3 is an accomplished Slasher film, one that continues the tradition of old school terror in modern times. Although Hatchet creator Adam Green doesn’t direct this third effort, he assumes producing duties and hands over the director’s chair to BJ McDonnell who crafts a film worthy of the Hatchet banner. This is a fine horror film, one that ranks up there with the year’s best horror films. Fans will be pleased with the direction this film is going, and the idea behind its plot is insane and will leave you on the edge of your seat from the last bloody frame. With simple, yet effective idea, McDonnell delivers one of the most exciting Slashers in recent years, and it is a film that if it spells out the end of the Victor Crowley saga, they ended the series on a high note. This is a gory good time that is a must for any horror fan looking for something actually worth seeing. Forget crap like Texas Chainsaw, this is the Slasher film to see this year along with the remake of William Lustig’s Maniac. The only complaint here is that Adam Green didn’t direct it, but at least he was involved with the project and it made this one standout like the first two. Hatchet 3 may not be perfect, but for what it is, it’s a standout horror offering, and for horror fans, that should suffice.

Final Rating:
8/10

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V/H/S/2 review

Posted in Found Footage, Horror Anthologies with tags , , , , , , , on June 16, 2013 by Alex Roy

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V/H/S/2 (2013)

Tagline: Who’s tracking you?

Directed by:
Simon Barrett
(Tape 49)
Adam Wingard
(Clinical Trials)
Eduardo Sánchez
(A Ride in the Park)
Gregg Hale
(A Ride in the Park)
Gareth Huw Evans
(Safe Haven)
Timo Tjahjanto
(Safe Haven)
Jason Eisener
(Alien Abduction Slumber Party)

Produced by:
Roxanne Benjamin
Gary Binkow
Kyle David Crosby
Brad Miska
Jamie Nash

Run Time:
96 minutes

Released:
June 6, 2013

Review:

V/H/S/2 is an entertaining decent follow-up to the surprisingly different type of found footage film. The result here is a decent film that uses the same old formula, but manages to cook up entertaining horror tales. I really thought that the original didn’t need a sequel, but what they did here was a decent affair that can appeal to fans of the original film. V/H/S/2 is a film that could have been great, but is a case of having a few stories that are not as good, and by the end of the film, you realize that more effort could have been put into making this follow-up. This isn’t a bad film by any means, but is one that could have been better considering the originality of the first film. With this sequel, it feels like another found footage film with nothing new to add to the genre. While the first V/H/S did something different in the genre, this sequel takes the ideas from the first film, and adds new stories, but doesn’t do anything to really stretch the concept even further. Decent overall, but not great, V/H/S/2 is a film that covers familiar ground without revamping its ideas. The picture suffers from a bit of predictability, luckily some stories, although not all good have a few standouts, which is sure to delight genre fans. As long as the filmmakers know when to draw the line, I think that the V/H/S franchise won’t be too tiresome if they make another sequel. If they do, then I hope the third film is the last. Overall with good stories are present here, but not enough to really make this a standout sequel.

Final Rating:
5/10

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Scarecrows review

Posted in Other Slashers, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , on June 16, 2013 by Alex Roy

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Scarecrows (1988)

Tagline:Trespassers will be violated.

Directed by:
William Wesley

Produced by:
William Wesley
Cami Winikoff

Run time:
83 minutes

Released:
September 28, 1988

Review:

Scarecrows is a good film, but one that could definitely have used a few rewrites to make it a much better horror film. The scarecrow genre is an interesting genre of horror, and there has been a few good movies to deal with the subject, the most notable being Dark Night of the Scarecrow, which stands as the finest and scariest Scarecrow film ever made. This film on the other hand is good, but one that never really takes off and becomes a tedious affair. The film is directed by somewhat who clearly can’t seem to craft a tense and thrilling memorable horror film that considering its idea, should have been much better than this. Scarecrows is good, but falls short of its potential, and I think it’s a great shame because this film could have been a worthwhile and truly terrifying scarecrow film. As it stands, the scares are average, and the performances could have been improved upon a bit. The film clearly has limitations, and it tries to create effective scares, but it never ends up being terrifying. A good outing, but one that isn’t a standout picture either. If you want the definitive scarecrow film, watch Dark Night of the Scarecrow, which is far better acted, directed and has a much better story.  This is a good horror film to watch when you have nothing else better to do, and it could have been done much better. I really expected something great with this one, but as a whole, I was a bit disappointed as well. Good, but never great, Scarecrows is a film that considering its premise should definitely have been superior in every way compared to what we go on-screen. Worth seeing at least once, but it doesn’t necessitate multiple viewings.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Evil Aliens review

Posted in Horror Comedy, Sci Fi Horror with tags , , , , , , , , on June 3, 2013 by Alex Roy

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Evil Aliens (2006)

Tagline: They’re all that stand between us and the Evil Aliens. Pray that’s enough.

Directed by:
Jake West

Produced by:
Falcon Film Productions

Run time:
89 minutes

Released:
March 10, 2006

Review:

Evil Aliens is a worthwhile horror comedy that shows how a low-budget film can do something truly creative in terms of what the filmmakers were able to pull off with such a meager budget. The film is cheesy and gory and over the top. This is definitely the type of film that will certainly delight fans of lower budget films. The performances are quite good and the cast is amusing in what they bring to the screen. I thought that Evil Aliens was one of the best low-budget horror comedies in quite some time. The film looks cheaply made, but that shouldn’t turn you away from the sheer entertainment value that the film provides so well. There’s plenty of over the top moments that you’re sure to enjoy if you love gross out films. The film is imperfect, but it is a film where it is crafted purely for mindless fun, and enjoy yourself with friends. Evil Aliens is a well crafted picture that boasts wicked gore effects and funny scenes that are well thought out. If you enjoy B movies, then this is a must see. There is enough originality here that makes Evil Aliens one of the most enjoyable horror comedies of the last ten years or so. If this is the type of film that you like, don’t pass this one up. The jokes are funny, the gore is plentiful and the director is able to pull off something truly wonderful with his ideas. Even if it’s never anything truly perfect, this is the perfect film that shows how talented some filmmakers are. If you’re tired of big budget horror films that recycle the same crap over and over again, and then give this one a shot, you may be pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

Final Rating:
7/10

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Willard 2003 review

Posted in Nature Gone Wild, Psychological Horror, Remakes with tags , , , , , , on June 3, 2013 by Alex Roy

willard

Willard (2003)

Tagline: A new breed of friendship

Directed by:
Glen Morgan

Produced by:
Glen Morgan
James Wong
Toby Emmerich

Run Time:
100 minutes

Released:
March 15, 2003

Review:

The remake of the 1971 film Willard starring Crispin Glover in the titular role as a social misfit who only has rats for friends is one of those remakes that is actually quite entertaining. While nowadays remakes tend to disappoint, this is an enjoyable film that is can successfully creep you out, because let’s face it, rats are just gross. Crispin Glover is quite good here, and I’ve always enjoyed seeing him in films. He is a talented actor that be humorous and yet creepy, such is the case with Willard. Fans of the original film might like this, and it is a well crafted film that shows us that not all remakes are bad. The film is creepy and at times pretty funny, border lining on cheesy, but Crispin Glover keeps you involved and he is able to convey ridiculousness and seriousness into one performance that keeps you entertained from start to finish. Willard is a good film that keeps elements of the original intact, while freshening up the formula to create something new at the same time. You are most likely to enjoy this film if you loved the original, and though it was a good film, the original left room for improvement and this remake touches on those elements. Remakes tend to be hit and miss, but I really liked this film, it had the right amount of creepy material mixed with dark humor to make it quite a worthy update on a classic horror film. Crispin Glover is great here and he delivers in his performance as the reclusive title character. This is a prime example of a well crafted remake that is fun and entertaining from start to finish due to its cast, direction and well executed story. Although it may be silly at times, there is a certain chill factor within the film that you simply can’t ignore.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Highwaymen review

Posted in Road Rage, Thrillers with tags , , , , , , , , on May 25, 2013 by Alex Roy

highwaymen

Highwaymen (2004)

Tagline: Terror hits the road

Directed by:
Robert Harmon

Produced by:
Bradley Jenkel
Carroll Kemp
Mike Marcus

Run Time:
80 minutes

Released:
February 13, 2004

Review:

Road movies are quite interesting in the horror medium. The notion of a psycho that creeps around the open road stalking his victims is quite frightening due to the fact it adds another dimension of exhilaration due to the fact at time many of the demented maniacs uses cars as their weapons. Highwaymen is an interesting horror thriller set on the open road where a maniac kills women with his 1972 El Dorado. For a low-budget flick, this is quite good and it will surely interest genre fans and it definitely is a well crafted picture that is sure to creep you out. Of course the film has its flaws, but the cast is quite god and each bring something to the screen that makes this a tense and terrifying film. This is an overlooked gem that deserve to find a wider audience to the fact that it has an effective concept that works. The film is short, but is never dull, and it is a well crafted picture that will surely appeal to genre fans looking for low-budget gems. The film works well enough for its short run time and the villain played by Colm Feore is chilling and quite memorable. The only downside to this film is that it is a bit too short, and it could have been a bit longer due to its interesting concept. Luckily director Robert Harmon manages to craft something terrifying, thrilling and quite compelling and that’s enough to overcome the film’s shortcomings. With a great cast, a good story and effective directing, Highwaymen is a worthwhile horror thriller that is worth seeing if you love road films. As it is, it a fine addition to the road rage genre and it does boast some entertaining sequences that will certainly appeal to horror fans. Highwaymen is imperfect, but is underrated and deserves to be at least viewed with an open mind.

Final Rating:
7/10

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Manborg review

Posted in Horror Comedy, Sci Fi Horror, So bad, it's good with tags , , , , , , on May 6, 2013 by Alex Roy

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Manborg (2011)

Tagline:Revenge is Back

Directed by:
Steven Kostanski

Produced by:
Steven Kostanski

Run Time:
70 minutes

Released:
October 25, 2011

Review:

Over the top ridiculousness is only mildly describing Manborg. This film is an homage to 80’s low-budget Shlockers, and it is a fine little film that is very entertaining despite how cheesy it is. If you low-budget trash, then this is definitely worth checking out. Manborg is a fun and entertaining hour and it is among the most refreshing concepts that I have seen in quite some time. The film was intentionally made to look cheap, and it adds to the films charm, and enjoyment. Sci Fi horror fans looking for a fun and entertaining cheese fest. Throughout the film the story, if there is one, is really tongue in cheek, and relies on bad over dubbing to create humorous dialogue. With that being said, it worked very well to create a campy low-budget film that is lots of fun from start to finish. Now, I really didn’t expect much from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised. The creativity that went into making this film has to be admired. The filmmakers clearly had a great time making this film and the result shows on-screen. Sure the film is ridiculous, but that’s the point of it all. This is a film that is definitely not meant to be taken seriously.  Although far from perfect, Manborg is sure to become a cult classic over the time. There is definitely an audience out there for a film like, and hopefully this low-budget so bad it’s good style Sci Fi action horror yarn will be enjoyed by genre fans. I found this film to be very entertaining and it is rare for the horror genre to deliver such a unique little gem like this. Packed with action, horror and gore, this is sure to satisfy the midnight film fan. However just make sure you leave your brain at the door and be prepared for the sheer ridiculousness, but worthwhile ride that this low-budget gem delivers so well.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil review

Posted in Horror Comedy with tags , , , , , , on April 15, 2013 by Alex Roy

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Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010)

Tagline:The perfect love story… with a high body count…

Directed by:
Eli Craig

Produced by:
Morgan Jurgenson
Albert Klychak
Rosanne Milliken
Deepak Nayar

Run time:
89 minutes

Released:
January 22, 2010

Review:

Tucker & Dale Vs Evil is one of the most accomplished horror comedies that I have seen in quite some time. With a very good cast, director Eli Craig crafts something original and very different.  What I loved about the film was the story, two rednecks get terrorized by annoying teenagers due to the fact that the teens think that Tucker & Dale seem creepy, but in reality they are just two rednecks going on vacation. What is hilarious about the film is that when Tucker & Dale try to clear up the misunderstanding about them being  “Psycho” all hell breaks loose and accidents happen and the body count goes up. The gore effects are well done and are there is plenty of blood here to appeal to gore fans. The script is layered with effective comedy and horror, and there’s plenty of memorable throughout the film. This is a very entertaining movie that is better than most horror films that is currently being released. While the film at times could have been better, the idea behind the film makes it a film that is worthy to see if you love horror comedies. The acting is quite good, and the script is well written with a few flaws. With a fine mix of two genres, director Eli Craig has made a rewarding film that will certainly delight horror fans new and old. Be prepared for something quite different. You will definitely laugh and some the scenes here. There is plenty to enjoy with Tucker & Dale VS Evil, and I happy to see that there is always at least one director out there wanting to create something truly worth seeing. This is a worthwhile addition to the horror genre, and it is a good time from the first frame onwards. The film may be imperfect, but it definitely is a fine movie that will offer you something totally refreshing in terms of a good story.

Final Rating:
8/10

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The Bay review

Posted in Bad Horror, Found Footage, Sci Fi Horror with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2013 by Alex Roy

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The Bay (2012)

Tagline: Panic feeds on fear.

Directed by:
Barry Levinson

Produced by:
Barry Levison
Oren Peli
Jason Blum
Steven Schneider

Run time:
84 minutes

Released:
November 2, 2012

Review:

Great idea for a horror film, but it lacks originality and real scares. The Bay is yet another documentary style horror film that we’ve seen many times before. The film is mediocre and lacks anything really engaging. The problem with this genre is that it’s over done. Filmmakers tend to recycle the same formula and in turn the material on-screen suffers significantly in terms of telling something that is supposed to be truly suspenseful and terrifying. The found footage genre is overdone and pointless. The last good film in this horror genre was V/H/S, and in my opinion, they should have ended that genre with that film. The problem with The Bay is that it is a predictable film and you know how it will turn out.  There simply isn’t anything worthwhile here to make it a truly good horror yarn. I really wanted to enjoy, unfortunately, this was yet another unsatisfying found footage film that is clichéd and scare free. This film was produced by the same guys who created the Paranormal Activity films, and though the first three films in that series were genuinely scary, the formula that the filmmakers keep using becomes tiresome and all too predictable. There’s only so much you can do with this formula before it becomes boring. The formula worked well with Paranormal Activity and other films. However with The Bay, it just doesn’t deliver and it is a bland affair with no genuine scares and in turn it becomes a tiresome, dull horror film that just doesn’t terrify. I really expected a great film with this one; unfortunately it is a mediocre horror film that will disappoint you if you’re looking for something fresh to watch. The Bay contains scenes that we’ve seen many times before and it ventures into old territory that simply isn’t interesting due to a lacking script that relies on a clichéd idea that cheats the audience. Stick with the older found footage film as they’re far better than this.

Final Rating:
4/10

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Hospital Massacre review

Posted in Other Slashers with tags , , , , , , , on March 24, 2013 by Alex Roy

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Hospital Massacre(1982)

Tagline:There’s no recovery room at…Hospital Massacre

Directed by:
Boaz Davidson

Produced by:
Yoram Globus
Menahem Golan

Run time:
89 minutes

Released:
April, 1982

Review:

During the slasher craze of the 1980’s, many films have come out, and have since forgotten due to the fact that there have been many other films that have overshadowed their existence. One such film is Hospital Massacre. This is a genre film that doesn’t try anything new with its formula, and it is just a collection of clichés with an average plot.  The strength of the film lies in its effective kill sequences, which are quite bloody, and creative. The film could have been better, but it definitely manages to be a good Slasher film for genre fans looking for an underrated, obscured flick. The film leaves a lot of room for improvement, but overall it is a well crafted horror yarn that relies on a brooding sense of atmosphere to build its tension. This is a worthy addition to the genre, and though far from perfect, it still gives genre fans something that is entertaining to check out. The kill sequences are what makes up for the forgettable performances. If the script would have been rewritten, this Slasher could have stood out among the very best in the genre. As it is, it’s a good outing, and one that is sure to please the most diehard of fans. Hospital Massacre is a bit different, and does offer some tense atmosphere, which is what most films lack. However, most of the time relies on all the ingredients that have made the genre popular among fans. The film is a must see for fans of obscured horror yarns, and though lacking in great story, the gore and kill sequences more than make up for it.

Final Rating:
6/10

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