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Orca review

Posted in Nature Gone Wild with tags , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2013 by Alex Roy

orca-poster
Orca (1977)

Tagline:Terror just beneath the surface

Directed by:
Michael Anderson

Produced by:
Luciano Vincenzoni

Run time:
92 minutes

Released:
July 22, 1977

Review:

After the release of Jaws, many studios tried to cash in on the success of the film, thus a new genre was born, the nature gone wild genre. Orca is yet another one of these Jaws Rip-offs, instead it has a killer whale instead of a great white shark, and it’s a killer whale that terrorizes. What separates the film from Jaws is that the whale has a motive and only seeks revenge on one person instead of creating all out carnage and terror like the shark from Spielberg’s classic. This is a fairly underrated film that I quite enjoyed, and though it is nothing original, there is plenty to enjoy with this film. Orca is fairly underrated and it is a far better film than what you would normally think. I thought that the cast was quite good and Richard Harris did a great job in his role. The weak aspects of the film are that it looks dated and it could have been improved upon. Some parts just didn’t seem to work and there could have been a bit of improvement as well. However this is a fun creature feature that is sure to delight fans of the nature gone wild genre and for a Jaws clone, it works due to the fact that the filmmakers were able to create something different with the all too familiar material. If you love this genre of horror, you should give this underrated gem a shot, with a good cast and interesting story, Orca is a film that is a worthy addition to the genre even if it’s going for the Jaws angle. Orca has its fair share of imperfection, but is far from being an awful horror film. Give the film a shot if you love creature feature and be prepared for some mindless entertainment value that is effective constructed to induce fear in the viewer.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Mother’s Day review

Posted in Other Slashers with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2013 by Alex Roy

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Mother’s Day (1980)

Tagline:I’m so proud of my boys. They never forget their momma.

Directed by:
Charles Kaufman

Produced by:
Michael Herz
Charles Kaufman
Lloyd Kaufman

Run Time:
91 minutes

Released:
September 12, 1980

Review:

The team at Troma has delivered a truly unique horror experience with Mother’s Day. This is a demented slice of early 80’s Slasher cinema that is well done. The tongue in cheek approach to the material adds an interesting touch to the tone of the film. However, this is one twisted ride from start to finish. This is clearly influenced by Tobe Hooper’s classic 1974 film and it does something eccentric in its own right. This is an enjoyable horror yarn that should appeal to fans of the genre. There’s plenty of gore and enough dark humorous to compensate for a few disturbing scenes. Acting wise there’s some pretty decent performances here and Mother (played by Rose Ross) steals the show. Director Charles Kauffman crafts a terrific picture and he is able to focus on a good plot, good gore and decent enough performances. Mother’s Day is one of the better Slasher gems of the 1980’s and genre fans owe it to themselves to hunt this one down. This is an exciting and fun picture that is well crafted to induce plenty of shocks and thrills. This is a fine horror yarn that overcomes its limitations by its tongue in cheek tone, which goes well with the other elements that Kauffman has up his sleeve. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and it’s a fine piece of low-budget horror cinema that is guaranteed to be a memorable viewing experience.  Genre fans will enjoy this one as a fine little slasher and it is one of the best the genre has to offer. Charles Kauffman has made a film worthy of the term cult classic. Enjoyable, disturbing and worth watching, Mother’s Day is an accomplished horror yarn that showcases a fine balance of chills and slightly humorous aspects perfectly.

Final Rating:
6/10

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The Ward review

Posted in Bad Horror, Psychological Horror, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 24, 2012 by Alex Roy

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The Ward (2010)

Tagline: Only Sanity Can Keep You Alive

Directed by:
John Carpenter

Produced by:
Peter Block
Doug Mankoff
Mike Marcus
Andrew Spaulding

Run Time:
90 minutes

Released:
September 13, 2010

Review:

Horror master John Carpenter has been absent for quite some time. This is his first directorial effort since Ghosts of Mars which was released in 2001. This is a film that had the potential of being a terrific supernatural horror movie. However this happens to be a dull, bland and unimpressive affair. John Carpenter, who is one of most legendary of horror directors, crafts a film that is formulaic and predictable. This had a very promising start, but in the end it fails to really grab your attention and it focuses more on delivering cheap scares and boring, not so well written dialogue. Carpenter has done far better work than this in the supernatural genre and he proved that with 1980’s The Fog. The Ward is a mediocre movie that leaves horror fans wanting more out of their experience. I think John Carpenter can deliver a better film if he really puts his mind to it. This was disappointing affair, and I expected something much better than this. This is just a case of being an undeveloped horror picture that could have been fun and entertaining. However, Carpenter doesn’t deliver and it just doesn’t stand out among his other works. This film makes Ghosts of Mars look great by comparison and if I had to pick one of the worst that John Carpenter has made, it would have to be this one. As a horror film, it is void of effective scares that can leave you on the edge of your seat till the final frame. The Ward, given a rewrite or two could have worked well enough and be a fine return to form of Carpenter’s early days. But I’m still waiting on him to create a more refined picture that will bring back the quality that his fans expect from such a unique talent.

Final Rating:
4/10

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Silent Hill: Revelation review

Posted in Bowels of Hell, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 10, 2012 by Alex Roy

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Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012)

Tagline:This Halloween get ready for a thrill ride through hell

Directed by:
Michael J. Bassett

Produced by:
Samuel Hadida
Don Carmody

Run Time:
94 minutes

Released:
October 26, 2012

Review:

Sometimes sequels lack the power and interesting qualities of the original. Silent Hill: Revelation is a pretty interesting sequel that is not as bad as what critics have said. With that being said, the film is far from perfect, but is strangely entertaining for what it is. First and foremost, video games make for a hard idea to bring to the screen, and when they do, the result is either hit or miss. However, this sequel to Silent Hill is far better than any Uwe Boll video game adaptation. There are enough supernatural elements at work here to make it a worthwhile horror film that is simply mindless fun. At times, the film feels like a mess, as it goes from a dark, atmosphere with the evils of Silent Hill to the real world. That was done purely make this one connect to the game’s original concept, and it is actually pretty cool. I would say that this is my guilty pleasure of the year 2012. This entry is purely made for fans of the game, and for other horror fans that enjoyed the first movie. Of course the original Silent Hill is far better, but this one does something different that actually works well enough to make for a pure popcorn horror flick to watch on a rainy night. I agree that the film has its flaws, nonetheless it’s an effective little chiller that you either enjoy or not. Quite frankly I find this one to be underrated, and it doesn’t deserve all the negativity it has received. This is a far better horror picture than The House at the End of the Street and Smiley. Silent Hill: Revelation is an average film that has plenty of effective elements, but could have toned down on confusing scenes a bit. The gore was good, and the supernatural elements are what kept me interested. This is a film that should only be seen by fans of the original, and no one else.

Final Rating:
6/10

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The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane review

Posted in Psychological Horror, Thrillers with tags , , , , , , , on December 10, 2012 by Alex Roy

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The Girl Who Lives Down The Lane (1976)

Tagline: She was only a little girl. She lived in a great big house… all alone. Where is her mother? Where is her father? Where are all the people who went to visit her? What is her unspeakable secret? Everyone who knows is dead.

Directed by:
Nicolas Gessner

Produced by:ç
Zev Braun

Run time:
91 minutes

Released:
November 26, 1976

Review:

This is one of those movies that blend the psychological horror elements and thriller elements to create something totally eerie and unforgettable. The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane is an effective film that relies on a well written script and great cast to create effective tension on-screen. Directed with flair by Nicholas Gessner, this is a must see for fans of either genre.  Jodie Foster is terrific in her performance and she’s pretty intense and creepy as well. However the most chilling performance of all is that of Martin Sheen, who plays her neighbor and he is also a pedophile. The film tends to rely more on the atmosphere to create its chills, and it does that very well.  This is the perfect psychological horror thriller in terms of a well crafted story that will keep you interested from start to finish. There’s enough good things happening on-screen to keep the viewer interested and this is a film that you soon won’t forget. Even when Jodie Foster was a teenager, she had the talent to deliver something special in her performances, and she does that in this picture. To compliment the horror, director Gessner adds a touch of mystery and it leaves you guessing right up to the very end. Films like this are rare and it just goes to show that you’re able to pull off so much with so little. Don’t pass up on this one; you’ll be glad that you watched it. The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane is one of the best psychological horror films that I have seen. With a great story and effective performances, this is a film that is sure to appeal to genre fans.

Final Rating:
8/10

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Psycho IV: The Beginning review

Posted in Psycho Horror, Psycho Series, Psychological Horror with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 29, 2012 by Alex Roy

Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

Tagline: you’ve met Norman. Now meet mother.

Directed by:
Mick Garris

Produced by:
Hilton A. Green
Les Mayfield
George Zaloom

Run time:
96 minutes

Released:
November 10, 1990

Review:

Psycho IV is the conclusion to the Norman Bates saga. In this film, we get the back story and why Norman Bates became so demented. I think it’s a great idea for a plot, and it is slightly better than part 3 due to that fact. There are some good performances here, and the directing is effective enough to keep you interested from start to finish. The film does have its flaws, but for a Made for TV picture, it’s pretty good and it delivers some genuine chills and thrills. Although you can come to expect that by a fourth film in any series, there’s a lack of truly great ideas, and though this one offers an origins take on the Psycho franchise, there’s still something lacking in the film to really make it memorable. The film is told with the aid of flashbacks and it is well done in that matter and there’s plenty to offer for fans of the series. As for me, I’ve always loved the original, and no sequel will ever top it, but the sequels have managed to elaborate on the character of Norman Bates and it’s been quite entertaining. Anthony Perkins is what kept me interested in the sequels and it’s no exception for this final entry. As far as I’m concerned, considering that the original is so iconic, the films that followed were pretty good, and departed significantly from the suspense, psychological horror genre and ventured deeper in the Slasher genre. I really enjoyed this film, and Anthony Perkins as usual is phenomenal as the character he established over the course of previous three films. Very entertaining, and underrated, Psycho IV: The Beginning is a very good prequel compared to numerous others that have failed to tell an effective plot. Perkins holds the material together very well with a chilling performance and he manages to play Norman Bates one final time with effective menace and with that said, the film overcomes its many weaknesses

Final Rating:
6/10

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The Tortured review

Posted in Exploitation Films, Psychological Horror, Torture Porn with tags , , , , , , on November 3, 2012 by Alex Roy


The Tortured (2010)

Tagline: The only way to ease the pain is to inflict some

Directed by
Robert Lieberman

Produced by:
Mark Burg
Oren Koules
Carl Mazzocone
Marek Posival

Run time:
79 minutes

Released:
November 8, 2009

Review:

Director Robert Lieberman crafts a torture porn revenge flick that has some sketchy but at times pretty decent performances. As far as the film is concerned, it’s a decent low-budget horror outing that could have been so much better than what it turned out to be. There is so many ways that they could have made a powerful revenge horror film with these ingredients, however there’s something not quite right with the way the film was executed. If the film’s script could have been rewritten a bit, and its structure been refined, then you’d have a compelling and memorable horror yarn. What you have here is a film that doesn’t take enough risks, while trying g to shock as much as it can. Considering the film’s premise, you’d expect something exciting, thrilling and ultimately unforgettable. The Tortured in the end is just like every other Torture Porn horror film out there. Although the film’s idea is very good and interesting, there’s no real pay off in the end. Overall this is a decent and at times entertaining film, but it leaves a lot to be desired out of its plot. The film doesn’t do anything different or refreshing in this genre of horror, and it’s clear to see that this genre has run out of ideas. If you want a great revenge flick similar to this one, but that is not a horror film, watch Law Abiding Citizen. However in the end, The Tortured is a film that is just worth seeing once, and doesn’t necessitate multiple viewings.

Final Rating:
5/10

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Strangeland review

Posted in Psycho Horror with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2012 by Alex Roy

Strangeland (1998)

Tagline: So much flesh, so little time.

Directed by:
John Pieplow

Produced by:
David L. Bushell

Run Time:
85 Minutes

Released:
October 2, 1998

Review:

Strangeland which is written by Heavy Metal musician Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame. This is an underrated film that has a unique concept. Although Snider’s ideas are a bit rough, there are still plenty of good things going for the film. The acting is fairly decent, never anything good but definitely not as bad as what many critics have said. Snider’s character is eccentric, bizarre and psychotic who says stuff that really doesn’t make any sense. In a way that’s what makes him appealing. The film has a dark, moody, melancholic atmosphere which adds to the tone of story. Although not perfect, I felt that Strangeland wasn’t as bad as what every critic has said. There’s an inventive plot in its somewhat sketchy script, and it works well enough for its 90 minute run time. There’s nothing truly remarkable about this one, except if you’re looking for an underrated B movie, then check this film out. I was very much surprised and I really didn’t think it was that bad. In fact, it was pretty good. There are some very interesting ideas at work here, but the script clearly suffers from being underdeveloped. If Dee Snider would have spent time rewriting a second draft, then maybe we would have had something very memorable on our hands. However, I still enjoyed the film, even though the plot was imperfect, and the cast were so-so. The film does possess something worth mentioning, Dee Snider as the villain. That made this worth seeing. Strangeland isn’t a bad film, but considering the concept, it makes you wonder how much potential this flick really had.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter review

Posted in Vampire films with tags , , , , , on July 9, 2012 by Alex Roy

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

Tagline: President by day. Hunter by night.

Directed by:
Timur Bekmambetov

Produced by:
Timur Bekmambetov
Tim Burton
Jim Lemley

Run Time:
105 minutes

Released:
June 22, 2012

Review:

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is the latest vampire film based on the terrific mash-up horror novel of the same name by author Seth Grahame-Smith. I read the book, and very much enjoyed it. With this film director Timur Bekmambetov keeps some key aspects of the novel, but reinvents most of its plot. In other words, it’s a loose adaptation of the book. This nonetheless a fun film that brings back evil vampires. The performances are good and the action is well done, but a little heavy on the slow motion side. This is a stylish film, one that upon hearing about, didn’t expect much. However I was surprised. This is not a film to be taken seriously. This is a mindless horror yarn that is meant to thrill and entertain. If you’re expecting a masterpiece of horror with this one, you’re going to be disappointed. I thought that this was a return to a more traditional story than most vampire films that have come out recently. This is an entertaining horror yarn that is dull, boring or uninteresting. Although quite different from the book, this book to screen adaptation is still lots of fun from start to finish. This is a film that you need to shut off your mind to enjoy. I recommend this film for anyone looking for a good, entertaining traditional vampire flick. If you love old school vampires that are evil and feed on the blood on the living, then this is your film. This may not be the vampire picture that we’ve wanted for a few years now, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. I was very much entertained by this film, and thought it was a refreshing, action packed take on previous vampire outings. This may be flawed, but you’ll be entertained if you’re in the mood for mindless, entertaining fun. There’s plenty to enjoy here, and I believe that this is an underrated action horror film that doesn’t deserve all the flack it received. This will certainly appeal to horror fans looking for a pleasant popcorn flick to watch. An entertaining ride from start to finish, and one worth taking.

Final Rating:
7/10

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The Hill’s Have Eyes review

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

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

Tagline: The lucky ones died first…

Directed by:
Wes Craven

Produced by:
Pete Locke

Run Time:
89 Minutes

Released:
July 22, 1977

Review:

Wes Craven’s 1977 film The Hill’s Have Eyes is one of the most depraved and jaw dropping films in the horror genre. Wes Craven directs this awesome film with relish as the characters on-screen are brutally stalked and murdered by a family of cannibals. With ever camera shot, Craven makes you feel uneasy as the backdrop of the film is in the open and you end up feeling the same anguish as the characters on-screen. The Hill’s Have Eyes is a powerful Horror film and this is Wes Craven when he’s just warming up. His Horror talents would culminate with 1984′s Nightmare On Elm Street and 1989′s Shocker. The Hill’s Have Eyes is a film of raw, brutal intensity and is a wild ride from start to finish. The cast is pretty good as well, Dee Wallace and Michael Berryman are the best actors in this film and Wes Craven has cooked up an amazing film that you won’t forget. What makes The Hill’s Have Eyes such an unrelenting horror is the mix of genres that Craven uses for his film. The film tends to touch on the Slasher film genres and psycho killer film with hints of exploitation. The result is an effective film that is a surrealistic nightmare of horror, one that grasps the viewer in a thrilling viewing experience that doesn’t let go up until the memorable climax. This is one of Craven’s best, and is a fine follow-up to his controversial, but excellent debut feature, The Last House on the Left. This Craven in his prime and it showcases his talents for effective horror perfectly.

Final Rating:
8/10

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