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Maniac 2012 review

Posted in French Horror, Other Slashers, Remakes with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2013 by Alex Roy

maniac-poster1
Maniac(2012)

Tagline:

Directed by:
Franck Khalfoun

Produced by:
Alexandre Aja

Run time:
89 minutes

Released:
May 3, 2013

Review:

The remake of the 1980 Exploitation slasher classic is a pretty good little flick that is riveting and thrilling. This film, like the original before it, doesn’t shy away from the graphic kills, which may appeal to genre fans looking for something grotesque to watch. Elijah Wood steps into the role of Frank, and he is quite good in his performance. I felt that he was able to deliver a performance that matched that of Joe Spinell, but managed to do something quite different as well.  The film is one of the better remakes that have come out in recent times, and at times, remakes are quite good, and Maniac proves that. This is a disturbing horror yarn that will certainly leave its mark. Wood gives a bone chilling performance, on e that does stand out, and it makes it one of the strongest aspects of the film. There is really nothing new added to the formula, as this one covers similar ground than the original. This is truly one of the most depraved and deranged films in the genre and Elijah Wood really convinces you that he is crazy and disturb. This is a stunning remake, and one that doesn’t tarnish the legacy of the original. The performances are good as well, considering that this is a picture that is pretty basic in its story. Genre fans will most likely love this one, and you can appreciate the fact that, it is in many ways, a much darker and atmospheric film than the original. Director Franck Khalfoun gets into the mind of a killer, and it is a terrifying and shocking journey from start to finish. The movie works well enough to keep you hooked from the first frame onwards, and even if you don’t like it, it will definitely have an impact on you.  As a fan of the William Lustig’s original, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this movie was. This remake is worth checking out if you love these types of horror flicks. Not a perfect remake, but better than some recent ones.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Night of the Demons 2010 remake review

Posted in Night of the Demons series, Remakes with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 25, 2013 by Alex Roy

night-of-the-demons-2010-poster-horror-movies-14104442-1200-1713
Night of the Demons (2010)

Tagline:All Hell Is Going To Break Loose

Directed by:
Adam Gierasch

Produced by:
Greg McKay
Kevin Tenney
Michael Arata

Run time:
93 minutes

Released:
October 15, 2010

Review:

As far as remakes go, I’m as skeptical as the next horror fan. Very often Horror remakes will be hit and miss, and most of the time they’ll miss the mark by a long shot. But thankfully, this is not the case with The Night of the Demons remake. The remake is one terrific blood soaked gore fest. I don’t understand why the remake got so many bad reviews. The film is actually a well crafted film using obviously the premise of the original, but doing something very amusing with the whole idea and reinvents the formula in a whole new way. The result is an awesome remake with plenty of blood, guts, nudity and horror. Helming the film is director Adam Gierasch, a diehard Horror fan. Gierasch’s directing is superb and his love of horror films shows on-screen. The remake Of Night of the Demons is one of the best since My Bloody Valentine 3D. The film is great Halloween viewing and like the original, is a definite must see for all horror fans. Obviously the strength of the film lies within the gore content, and the film has no shortage of blood and guts. The cast is average, and there’s not really anyone enjoyable on-screen, so when they become Demons, you really don’t care about the characters. Even if there’s not really anyone great on-screen, Shannon Elizabeth and Edward Furlong are the best here, and Elizabeth is perfectly cast as Angela. However I feel the characters aren’t that great. But in the end, for a film like this, it’s the gore that counts. The Night of the Demons remake certainly delivers on blood and guts, and it’s what makes this film so much fun in the end. Night of the Demons isn’t a flawless remake, but it’s still much better than most remakes out there, and considering that this is a direct to video remake, its pretty good and very entertaining. This is one of the best remakes that I’ve seen in quite some time, is almost as good as Kevin Tenney’s original film. However, this film will never beat the original. This remake also features a cameo from Linnea Quigley who played in the first one. A terrific and horrifying film that’s sure to please fans of the original.

Final Rating:
7/10

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Frankenweenie review

Posted in Horror Comedy, Remakes with tags , , , , on January 13, 2013 by Alex Roy

FRW_Payoff_1-Sht_v6

Frankenweenie (2012)

Directed by:
Tim Burton

Produced by:
Tim Burton
Allison Abbate

Run Time:
87 minutes

Released:
October 5, 2012

Review:

Tim Burton makes a full length feature out of his 1984 short by the same name. This is a well executed animated feature that is among the most refreshing Burton films in a long time. This is a memorable, humorous and highly entertaining film that is well acted by its voice cast and has a good plot. Although it has its flaws, Frankenweenie manages to be a pleasurable film that should appeal to the most demanding Burton fan and common filmgoer. The film blends all sorts of genres and successfully delivers a fine little comedy horror tale that is a refreshing film going experience. In the last few years, Tim Burton has made good movies, but they simply weren’t memorable like his early 90’s work. Films like Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands were well crafted affairs that were eccentric and highly entertaining. What makes Tim Burton films unique is that he uses bizarre themes to tell his stories, thus he’s able to create something that we’ve never seen, and capture our imagination. With this full length feature of his 84 short, he animated the tale of Sparky, the reanimated dog and adds a more in-depth plot than his enjoyable short film. The question is, is it as great as the original? Unfortunately, I  felt the short film was far better and more enjoyable, but in the long run, this animated feature is wonderful as well in terms of expanding Tim Burton’s original concept. This is affine comedy horror tale that is really one of the better films that Tim Burton has directed recently. I thoroughly enjoyed Alice in Wonderland, but when Burton writes and directs his own ideas, plots and basically serves up original material, he’s in top form, and the result is apparent on-screen throughout this memorable film.

Final Rating:
7/10

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The Blob 1988 review

Posted in Modern Monsters, Remakes, Sci Fi Horror with tags , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2012 by Alex Roy

blob-movie-poster-1988

The Blob (1988)

Tagline:Now, terror has no shape.

Directed by:
Chuck Russell

Produced by:
Jack H. Harris
Elliott Kastner

Run Time:
95 minutes

Released:
August 5, 1988

Review:

Chuck Russell’s remake of The Blob is one of those rare films that reinvents the formula of the original and makes it more horrifying. The 1958 version of the film will always be a horror classic, but this version amps up the stakes quite a bit by having better, more disturbing special effects, which add so much to the film’s atmosphere. I very much enjoyed the film, and I think the fans of the original film will also enjoy this newer version. As far as remakes are concerned, this is among the better ones. When done right, an update can actually be very good and that’s the case about The Blob. The cast do a fine job with the material, and director Chuck Russell clearly has an understanding on how to create a truly entertaining, disturbing and very memorable horror film. The effects are clearly the highlight of the film and there are enough demented scenes that will appeal to monster film fans. This is a very well done picture that is sure to appeal to diehard horror hounds and it’s definitely entertaining from start to finish. Chuck Russell has pulled off a great remake that is among the best that I’ve seen. Be prepared for some serious blob carnage as the giant mass eats and attacks its prey. From a technical standpoint, this version looks better, but in terms of story, the original will always be the one to watch. Enjoyable and areal delight for fans, if you come across The Blob, give it a shot, you’re sure to have a blast. This is among the best films in the genre of the late 80’s and it most certainly is a memorable picture to watch and enjoy. As a remake, this one does what so many other reimagining’s have failed to do, revise the story and incorporate a very good cast with plenty of thrills to give the fans something worth seeing.

Final Rating:
7/10

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Toolbox Murders 2004

Posted in Remakes, Slasher Films with tags , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2012 by Alex Roy


Toolbox Murders (2004)

Tagline:Every year, thousands of people come to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams. Some succeed. Some go home. And some just disapear.

Directed by:
Tobe Hooper

Produced by:
Ryan Carroll
Tony DiDio
Adam Gierasch
Gary LaPoten
Terence S. Potter
Jacqueline Quella
Frank Strausser
Ronnie Truss
Straw Weisman
Mark Wooding

Run Time:
95 minutes

Released:
March 19, 2004

Review:

As far as remakes are concerned, Toolbox Murders is a pretty good film that captures the essence of the original, and modernizing them. In this version directed by Tobe Hooper, he tends to give the film a much darker atmosphere which is strength of the film because the original was pretty sleazy in its conception. Also a standout with this version is the fact that there is a slightly better plot this time around and the kills are much better done with more blood to appeal to gore fans everywhere. Toolbox Murders is a fine return to form for Horror master Tobe Hooper as his work tended to suffer quite a bit in the 1990′s, which is a great shame because Hooper’s earlier movies were terrific and are classics in the genre. However despite this short return to form, Hooper’s work would fall apart again with his follow up, Mortuary. Toolbox Murders on the other hand shows that Tobe Hooper still can a good horror yarn when he truly puts his mind to it, and I think that he still has the drive to make other good movies. Hooper’s direction with this film is top notch, and though it isn’t perfect, this remake is pretty good and the cast do a fine job and are well cast in their parts. If you love Slasher films, then check this one out, it’s definitely one of the better remakes in recent memory and it may not be the best film that Hooper has directed, but it definitely is the best film that he’s directed in a long time.

Final Rating:
6/10

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The Hills have Eyes review

Posted in Other Slashers, Psycho Horror, Remakes with tags , , , , on June 22, 2012 by Alex Roy

The Hills have Eyes (2006)

Tagline: The lucky ones die first.

Directed by:
Alexandre Aja

Produced by:
Wes Craven
Peter Locke

Run Time:
107 Minutes

Released:
March 10, 2006

Review:

The Hill’s Have Eyes is actually a pretty good remake considering that most remakes miss the mark in terms of what the original did. Most of the time, the storyline is watered down, the acting is done by a poor cast of talentless actor and they go more for shock value than for actual horror. This film succeeds at delivering fear and tension in the audience, something that remakes fail in almost every case. Director Alexandre Aja who directed the film Haute Tension (High Tension) directs and as with his second film, he delivers the gore. What makes this standout is the good cast; they deliver above average performance, considering that this is a remake. For what it is, they keep most of the original elements of the 1977 classic, but they have added a few new aspects to the story. The film succeeds where most modern retellings failed; it delivered a shocking, tense and memorable horror experience. The film has its flaws, but for the most part it manages at being one demented nightmare of a film. This remake definitely amps up the stakes in terms of shocks and thrills. The original was a Slasher type exploitation film that relied on atmosphere to create its memorable moments of blood and gore. With this one, the production values are better and unlike the original, it does not have a raw, grind house exploitation feel to it. Nonetheless for what it is, it’s a s good film for what it is, despite the fact that it relies more on gore and effects to create its effects. This is a fun film that horror fans are sure to enjoy.

Final Rating:
6/10

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The Hill’s Have Eyes 2 review

Posted in Other Slashers, Psycho Horror, Remakes with tags , , , , on June 22, 2012 by Alex Roy

The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)

Tagline: Last year the lucky ones died first. On march 23rd the lucky ones die fast.

Directed by:
Martin Weisz

Produced by:
Wes Craven

Run Time:
90 Minutes

Released:
March 23, 2007

Review:

The sequel to the 2006 remake is a nice variation of the storyline that we’ve seen in the first film. I preferred this version in a way because of the different twist the film offered. Instead of the same old, we get some new elements to a classic story, which is fine by me. The film is more disturbing, with more violence and gore to appeal to fans of the remake. I liked the remake, and I thought that this one delivered and did not disappoint. The Hills Have Eyes 2 is a thrill a minute sequel and serves even more blood than the first one. Decent acting with moments of sheer terror add to the nature of this sinister sequel, a film that terrifies as much as it entertains, this sequel elevates what we’ve seen before into unexplored territory and makes it that much more entertaining and above all fun. This is a good film, that is slightly better than the first remake, but both are equally good. However if you’re a horror hound who enjoys great amounts of gore, then you won’t be disappointed with this sequel. I think that they did a great job in delivering an effective sequel, one that makes this a must see for casual horror fans as much as the die-hound connoisseur of fine horror. A very entertaining film, even if it’s imperfect, it manages to be a fun-filled horror flick that at times you forget that it is a sequel to a remake, as you watch the chaos unfold before your eyes. As far as sequels to remakes are concerned, this is one of the best that I’ve seen. If you were disappointed by the sequel to The Ring, and countless Pulse sequels, then this film is for you.

Final Rating:
7/10

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I Spit on Your Grave 2010 review

Posted in Exploitation Films, Remakes, Torture Porn with tags , , , , , , , on June 18, 2012 by Alex Roy

I Spit on Your Grave (2010)

Tagline: It’s Date Night

Directed by:
Steven R. Monroe

Produced by:
Lisa Hansen
Paul Hertzberg
Meir Zarchi

Run time:
108 minutes

Released:
May 1, 2010

Review:

This one of those rare remakes were the remake exceeds expectations, and becomes better than the original. This is a brutal, unrelenting revenge horror film that doesn’t shy away from being extreme. Like the 1978 original, I Spit on Your Grave leaves the viewer feeling uneasy, and in my opinion, it’s what makes this film so unique in delivering the tension. Nothing is more powerful in the horror medium than exploring the darker side of human nature. The result is a powerful film that will most likely stay with you long after you’ve seen it. This is a bone chilling tale of vengeance and every cast member is excellent in their parts. Director Steven R. Monroe delivers a stunning remake is better acted and at times more disturbing than the original, but that’s what he seeked to accomplish, and in that regard, he succeeded. This is Exploitation cinema at its finest. This is not a film for the weak-minded as the film is pretty violent. If you’re looking for a horror film that takes a look at the dark side of the human nature, this is one the one to watch. In many ways, this is superior to the original, due in part to its good cast who bring something terrifying to the screen. The standout aspect of this film is the actual retribution of the lead character who suffers the violent rape and beatings of the gang. This is a hard film to watch, but if you can manage it, it’s worth seeing. This is a film that joins the original and The Last House on the Left as one of the definitive revenge films.

Final Rating:
7/10

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The Last House on the Left (2009) review

Posted in Psycho Horror, Remakes with tags , , , , on April 4, 2012 by Alex Roy

The Last House on the Left (2009)

Tagline: If bad people hurt someone you love. How far far would you go to hurt them back?

Directed by:
Dennis Iliadis

Produced by:
Wes Craven
Sean S. Cunningham
Marianne Maddalena

Run Time:
110 minutes

Released:
March 13, 2009

Review:

Interesting remake of Wes Craven’s 1972 film, The Last House on the Left. I view Craven’s original film as an exploitation horror classic that pushed the boundaries of good taste. With that said, this remake is still pretty disturbing and delivers some brutal scenes of revenge mayhem. I much preferred the original film of course, but as a remake, this film isn’t bad. As a remake of the original, I thought that this film was pretty good. The film improves on Wes Craven’s film in some respects. The film is better than most remakes, but as a whole you’d be better off to stick with the classic film. Nothing can beat Craven’s debut. This film has plenty of good, effective moments of tension and is a revenge flick. However there is something missing to really make it stand out above Craven’s film, and since this is a remake; it really can’t be as good as the original. There’s some good performances and like I said, considering the whole remake factor, that’s saying a lot. The film has its faults, but for the most part it succeeds at being an effective horror flick, and one that stands out among the better remakes that have come out in recent memory. If you’ve enjoyed the original, then give this version a shot. The film is definitely worth checking out, and despite its flaws, has something that will definitely appeal to horror fans. For a remake, this film is watchable and definitely a step above the traditional Asian horror remakes.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1978 review

Posted in Remakes, Sci Fi Horror with tags , , , , on February 27, 2012 by Alex Roy

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Tagline: Get some sleep

Directed by:
Philip Kaufman

Produced by:
Robert H. Solo

Run Time:
115 Minutes

Released:
December 20, 1978

Review:

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers is a prime example of a terrific remake. The story is solid, the film steadily builds up to it’s climax, it has terrific actors (Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams) Invasion is a superbly crafted film and effectively mixes Sci Fi with Horror. In Invasion there are some truly terrifying and startling scenes as Aliens quietly take over San Francisco. The film has a terrific atmosphere, and is truly tense. There are many elements that stand out from the original film and in many ways is totally different, as the story is reinvented in a whole new way. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers overall is a solidly build Sci Fi Horror film that shouldn’t be missed as a terrific film from start to finish, plus the climax is unforgettable.

Final Rating:
8/10

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