THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD

 

The Return of the Living Dead Movie Review

Frank (James Karen, Poltergeist) and Freddy (Thom Mathews, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives), two guys working in a warehouse that stores medical supplies, accidentally release a toxic gas. This makes it to a nearby cemetery, causing the dead to rise. First off, you have to love the premise--1980's horror movies sure did put the scare of toxic waste and gases in the minds of viewers! This one, from 1985, brings the idea to the screen with a wonderful blend of horror and comedy. In a stroke of really bad luck, a group of punks happen to be hanging out in the cemetery when the dead rise, and you'll likely recognize at least a few of them. John Philbin of Children of the Corn is there. Mark Venturini and Miguel A. Nunez Jr from Friday the 13th Part 5: A New Beginning are members of the gang. Finally, horror legend Linnea Quigley appears for arguably her most recognizable role. 

Suicide's Squad

The familiar faces don't end there, as Clu Gulager (A Nightmare on Elm Street 2) shows up as would-be hero Burt, and Don Calfa, who turned in a hysterical performance as Paulie in Weekend at Bernie's a couple years later, plays Ernie, a possible Nazi running the nearby mortuary. I mention all these people not only to do some name dropping, but also because they are all wonderful in this film. Their performances, whether intentional or not, are hilarious--Karen especially steals the shows with his manic performance, and for as unimpressive as Mathews was in Jason Lives, he more than makes up for that as Freddy. Equally as impressive is the work with the zombies, particularly that of everybody's favorite, Tarman.

And all my friends are skeletons

The horror/comedy hybrid idea wasn't entirely new when this movie was released, and, of course, that genre has only grown since, but unlike most of the films that have come out since, The Return of the Living Dead is actually funny. The movie knocks it out of the park when it comes to both the laughs and scares, and rightfully deserves its place as one of the elite comedy horrors of all time. This movie did, however, bring a few big, new elements to the zombie genre--it is credited as being the first zombie flick to have fast-moving zombie, talking zombies, and it introduced the idea of the zombies seeking out brains specifically--and, as I did several times in that sentence, it breaks the mold by actually using the word "zombie". I'm not a huge fan of the ending, but there's not much else to complain about with The Return of the Living Dead. In the off chance you have never seen this movie, do yourself a favor and check it out. 

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

The Return of the Living Dead Movie Trailer

A CLASSIC HORROR STORY

A Classic Horror Story Movie Review

Five strangers are travelling through Italy when their vehicle goes off the road and hits a tree. They awaken the next morning in the middle of the woods, with seemingly no way out. This horror film, released on Netflix in July 2021, combines elements of many different horror genres, and without giving away too much about the final third, that is kind of the point. Part The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, part The Evil Dead, part Wrong Turn, part The Wicker Man, this film will have you guessing what exactly is going on until the surprise reveal near the end. 

Lots of horror movies in one picture 

On the surface, if I told you this movie seems to steal a lot from other horror films, you may lose interest, but as the title implies, this is all done for a very specific reason--if I told you this all results in one of the most original horror films to come out in years, you may even call me mad; however, it's all true. Italy has not exactly been known as a country to produce terrific horror films in recent decades--in the 20th Century, it was a hotbed for horror, so hopefully this movie will help put the country back on the spooky map and lead to more awesomeness. There are some loose ends that aren't quite tied up, and the characters are not especially likable, but there's not much else to dislike about this movie. The story is interesting, the shooting is slick, the twist is fantastic, the acting is decent, and there's plenty of bloodshed. There's even a cool little mid-credits scene to send the viewer off with a grin. A Classic Horror Story is certainly a movie I recommend--in fact, you may even want to watch it a second time, knowing the ending going in. In a world of mediocre Netflix films, the streaming service hit a home run with this one. 

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

A Classic Horror Story Movie Trailer

AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

An American Werewolf in London Movie Review

American students Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne) and David Kessler (David Naughton from the "Be A Pepper" Dr. Pepper commercials) backpack...wait. You don't know those commercials? A youngster you must be. For those of us old enough to recall those ads, simply hearing the phrase "be a pepper" triggers the song from the deepest, darkest depths of our memory bank. For those of you not old enough to know what I'm talking about...well...here you go...

You're welcome

Back to it--the Americans are backpacking around the UK when they are attacked by a werewolf. Jack gets killed, while David begins to feel a bit...transformed. If you're reading this, there is a very good chance you have seen this movie, or at the very least, you have heard of it. A long-time personal favorite, I'm surprised that after twelve years of writing these reviews, I've never dedicated the time to taking a look at this one (though I did mention an attraction based on the film in reviewing something else). Brought to us by famed and (primarily) comedy film director John Landis, this 1981 flick indeed mixes laughs with scares, and does a wonderful job finding a balance between the two elements, something incredibly hard to pull off. The scene in the London Underground, when the werewolf emerges from the top of the frame as we see the victim trying to escape up the escalator, is one of the more terrifying things you will see in any movie, and is one of my all-time favorite shots. 

"Maybe I got a Milk-Bone"

The most recognizable scene in the movie is likely the transformation one--40 years after this movie was made, this still holds up, and is universally recognized as an iconic moment in horror history. The makeup and special effects are fantastic all throughout the movie, and is just one of many reasons Rick Baker is considered one of the greats in the makeup effects world. The story itself is fair enough--there is nothing groundbreaking on this end, but there's enough to keep you interested, especially when the lads are at The Slaughtered Lamb, hanging around the weirdo locals. That said, there is nothing offensively bad about the movie...unless you're Dr. Pepper, that is. Naughton lost his gig as their spokesman for doing nude scenes in this film. There is plenty of carnage along the way, all leading to an ending that is somewhat anticlimactic, but gloriously abrupt. Again, I assume if you're reading this, you've seen An American Werewolf in London...if by chance you haven't, do yourself a favor and buy it. 

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

An American Werewolf in London Movie Trailer

AUDITION

Audition Movie Review

Years after losing his wife, Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) decides to search for a new love. His friend comes up with a plan to screen women under the guise of a movie audition, and it's there he meets Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina), a young, seemingly timid lady with a very dark secret. Predating what may be considered the golden age of torture flicks (Saw, Hostel, et al), this 1999 Japanese film truly pushed the envelope upon its release. Let's talk about what you have probably heard about this movie, if you have heard of it at all--yes, the scenes of Asami with the wire are graphic, look realistic, and are exceptionally well done. 

"kiri kiri kiri kiri"

While this is a very memorable part of the movie, it's not exactly what makes it such a great movie--there's plenty more going on to do that. The whole mood of the film is just eerie, from the hospital scene of Aoyama's wife dying to the bar to the plan being devised, there is a lot that will leave you feeling uneasy before you even see a drop of blood. Once Asami is introduced, the creepiness is amped up, and the remainder of the movie is utterly unnerving. The acting, particularly from our two lead characters, is strong--both Ishibashi and Shiina do a fantastic job expressing emotions without even having to say a word. The film is shot wonderfully, and even with a bit of humor thrown in, the viewer is never taken out of the mood--I would argue that though the audition scenes provided unexpected laughs, it was still shot in a way to make the viewer feel on edge, and is some of the best work in the film. As is the case with many Japanese horror movies, this one burns slowly, and could have benefited from having about ten minutes shaven off it. The ending is also a bit abrupt, and rather unsatisfying, but those are really the only complaints I have about this movie. I first saw Audition not long after it came out, and had not watched it in years--unlike with so many movies I go a long time without watching, this one is still every bit as good as I remembered it being. 

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Audition Movie Trailer

GOTHIKA

Gothika Movie Review

Psychiatrist Miranda Grey (Halle Berry) is involved in a car accident on her way home from work. When she awakens from the incident, she finds herself a patient in the same mental institution she works in, having been accused of killing her husband, Douglas (Charles S. Dutton of Roc...yes, I used to watch that show). Miranda's problems don't end there, as she finds herself being haunted by a spirit as well. I recall seeing this one in the theater in 2003 and loving it. I watched it a few times over the years, but prior to watching it earlier today, I had not seen the movie in maybe ten years or so. Would I still love it as much as I did back then? 

She can't wait to find out

I will start with what I completely forgot about--well, one of the things I completely forgot about anyway, and it happens to be the worst thing about this movie--the CGI. Some of the visuals in this movie are so bad you will wonder how the film ever saw a big screen. That said, I really have no other major complaint about this film. The story is an interesting one, and will absolutely keep you engaged, especially near the end, when the twists and turns come at a breakneck speed. I love the acting in this, and the movie has a whole slew of performers I enjoy watching. Aside from Berry and Dutton (both of whom I like), we also have personal favorites Penelope Cruz (Vanilla Sky), the grossly underrated John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac), and, of course, my favorite actor in the history of acting (and the reason I paid to see this in the theater to begin with), Robert Downey Jr. (Tuff Turf). 

"Tuff Turf? Really?"

There's not a ton of gore in the movie, but there is certainly more than enough suspense to make up for it. Adding to the enjoyment of the movie is a very satisfying ending (the very final shot with the bus and the kid notwithstanding ). A lot of people like to bash this movie--the critics hated it, and while not a box office bomb, it wasn't exactly setting the world on fire in 2003 either. I, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised to find that after so many years of not watching it, I still very much liked Gothika, and certainly won't wait another ten years to watch it again. 

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Gothika Movie Trailer

MISERY

Misery Movie Review

Acclaimed writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is knocked unconscious in a car accident. He awakens to find himself in the home of Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), his self-proclaimed number one fan. Wilkes, a nurse, helps Sheldon recover from his injuries, but when she reads Sheldon's latest, unpublished novel, and finds the title character has been killed off, Wilkes kind of loses her mind, and Sheldon realizes he is in more trouble than he suspected. This 1990 movie, based on the 1987 Stephen King novel, won critical acclaim upon its release, and landed Bates a much-deserved Oscar for Best Actress.

I'm not a dirty bird! I promise!

It had been years since I watched this movie--so many, in fact, that as my girlfriend and I were watching the show Castle Rock and she pointed how similar Lizzy Caplan's portrayal of the character Annie Wilkes on the show was to Bates', I couldn't remember. We continued watching the show (as a side note, I recommend checking that out), making a mental note to watch the movie when we could find it. Months later, we discovered it on Hulu and yes, the similarities between the two performances are impressive. This movie is one that will have you on the edge of your seat--early on, we realize Wilkes is not all there, and for the remainder of the movie you are just waiting for her to inevitably snap. Caan also turns in a nice performance as the helpless Sheldon. Director Rob Reiner (Meathead from All in the Family and director of Stand By Me) does a fantastic job setting up the tension in this film, creating an atmosphere that leaves the viewer mentally on edge the entire time. This movie is known for one scene in particular--I won't go into detail in case you've never seen it, but if you don't know it's coming, it is quite shocking and very brutal. The ending creates a bit of a conundrum--while you know Wilkes is insane and extremely dangerous, you may find a part of yourself feeling sorry for her, making it tough to know who to cheer for. In the unlikely event you have never seen the movie Misery, do yourself a huge favor and track it down. It is one of the better horror films from the 1990's, and one of the best screen adaptations of a Stephen King story.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Misery Movie Trailer

TRAIN TO BUSAN

Train To Busan

People on a passenger train struggle to survive when a zombie outbreak occurs, and the infected make their way on board. That is the basic premise of this big budget 2016 South Korean movie that packs a punch right from the get-go, and keeps the momentum all the way to the end. The story revolves primarily around Seok-woo (Yoo Gong), a business man who spends little time with his daughter, Soo-an (Su-an Kim), but we also get to know many side characters as well--this is notable because the filmmakers pull off something quite difficult by making the viewer care about all of them. Trust me, loyal readers, when I say the human-interest story in this movie is just as effective as the zombies. Speaking of the zed word, they are of the fast-moving variety in this film, turn almost immediately, and are terrifying.

Things are about to get scary

The movements of the infected are as creepy as the look, and some scenes of them crawling and jumping on each other may remind you of World War Z, which is always a good thing. Some of the green screen shots are pretty rough, however--you can tell a good bit of money was spent on this movie (8.5 million dollars, in fact...thanks Google), so you wonder why some of these shots look so bad, but there is more than enough awesomeness to make up for it. Though some scenes are bloody, there's not a ton of gore with this one, which is fine, as the balance seems more than fair. I'll also throw out the same warning I do for all foreign films that are not dubbed--this one has subtitles, so if you have a hard time both watching the action and reading the words on the screen, you may want to avoid this movie--this point is doubled when considering just how good the dialogue is. The chaos all leads to an ending that is as good as the 110 minutes leading up to it--my girlfriend, who, after picking a series of less than impressive movies for us to watch, redeemed herself with this selection, was fighting back the tears. Train To Busan is, unquestionably, one of the better horror movies to come out in the past few years, and certainly ranks among the elite zombie films. 

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Train To Trailer

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3

Return of the Living Dead 3 Movie Review

Teenage couple Curt (J. Trevor Edmond) and Julie (Mindy Clarke) sneak into the government lab Curt’s father works at, where they discover corpses are being reanimated using a gas named Trioxin. Soon after, Julie dies in a motorcycle accident, and Curt, using the Trioxin, brings her back to life...but she’s not quite the same. The third film in the Return Of The Living Dead series cuts back on the comedy of the first two, amps up the horror, and the results are wonderful. The film keeps the punk rock edge of the first two as well—I think the L7 poster in particular is a nice touch. Edmond does a nice job as the love struck teen, and Clarke is phenomenal as Julie—her look and transformation in the third act is nothing short of iconic for the genre, and many a horror fan in the 90s filled their head with thoughts of the punk rock zombie—a friend of mine was absolutely enthralled with her.

“Hello Will”

Aside from all that, there is plenty more to love about this movie. The other zombies are made up very well, there is plenty of blood and guts, the special effects are wonderful, and the film moves along at a perfect pace. The dialogue leaves a bit to be desired at times, but some of the nonsense sort of adds to the enjoyment of watching the movie. There is also a problem or two with the ending, but it is certainly not bad enough to take much away from the rest of the story. This movie, which came out in 1993, is one I must have watched approximately three thousand times in that decade, and it stands strong all these years later. Return of the Living Dead 3 edges out the first film to be my favorite of the series, and it ranks high in my list of favorite zombie movies of all time as well.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Return of the Living Dead 3 Movie Trailer

30 DAYS OF NIGHT

30 Days Of Night Movie Review

The residents of Barrow, Alaska are preparing for 30 days of darkness--what better time for a tribe of vampires to pay a visit? That's the basic story of this 2007 horror flick based on a series of comic books. The film stars Josh Hartnett (The Faculty) and Melissa George (Triangle, The Amityville Horror), and both do a fine job in this one--in fact, the acting across the board is pretty solid in this movie. Ben Foster (X-Men: The Last Stand) is very memorable in his brief time in the film, and Danny Huston (The Number 23) is terrifying as the head vampire.

You've got red on you

This movie has a very dark feel about it--even without the vampires, the mood of a town suffering a month straight of darkness is somber as it is. Gorehounds will be very pleased with this film--once the vampires attack, the violence and bloodshed are unrelenting--the aerial shot of the town under attack is particularly awesome. Not only is the film bloody, the violent scenes are often so realistic looking they border on being disturbing. The vampires themselves actually look scary, and, in a nice touch, also speak their own language. The body count is high, and the movie moves at a great pace. The movie is visually stunning, adding to the viewing enjoyment. Unfortunately, for everything this movie has going for it, the ending is a tremendous letdown, preventing this from being among the all time great vampire flicks--that said, 30 Days of Night is still a very good horror movie, and is one I have watched at least a dozen times.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

30 Days Of Night Movie Trailer

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie Review

A group of friends on their way to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert seek help from the sheriff (R. Lee Ermey) of a small town after a hitchhiker they picked up kills herself—unfortunately for them, the sheriff is also the patriarch of a family of killers and lunatics. This 2003 version of the 1974 classic still stands out to me as one of the best horror movie remakes of the 21st Century. Because this movie is so different than the original, I will keep the comparisons to the original to a minimum here—I will say this outing is a lot bloodier than the original, not as scary, and much more slick—to that point, when you watch this movie, you have to understand two things: the original was a low-budget grindhouse film with no expectations of achieving any sort of huge commercial success (much less becoming the iconic film it is today), while the 2003 version had a much larger budget and was created for mainstream popularity and acceptance. It is important to keep that in mind while watching this movie, or, if you saw this one before the original, keep that in mind while viewing the 1974 film. Anyway, some of the more ominous themes of the original film are dropped here, but that doesn’t necessarily make this version any less intense. The actors do a decent job, and director Marcus Nispel and cinematographer Daniel Pearl do a fine job making us believe the events of this film are actually happening in 1973. Another nice touch to the film is bringing John Larroquette back to narrate the film, as he had done the original. The story itself, of course, is a disturbing one, and some of the scenes are likely to leave you feeling a bit uneasy.

This scene certainly ruffled some feathers

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We know from the beginning which of the friends will be the one to make it to the end, so no surprises there, but after such a strong build up, the climax of the film feels a bit disappointing—still, the 2003 edition of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a very enjoyable horror flick that, for better or worse, kicked off the trend of remaking classic horror movies that continues 14 years later.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie Trailer

28 WEEKS LATER

28 Weeks Later Movie Review

Set 28 weeks after the initial events of 28 Days Later, we find that NATO forces have taken control of Great Britain and have created a safe zone from the virus, which they believe to be almost completely eliminated. Two kids sneak out of the zone to visit their old home, where they find their mother still alive. The U.S. Military, headed up by sniper Doyle (Jeremy Renner), brings the kids and their mother back only to discover the woman has the virus, as well as an immunity to it. To nobody's surprise, the virus breaks out again and all hell breaks loose.

There's one way to escape

Much like in the first film, one could argue about if these are zombies or not--I won't argue one way of the other, because it really doesn't matter. This movie takes the violence and bloodshed of the first film and turns it up a notch. This was arguably Renner's breakout role--it's certainly what made me a fan, as he does a fantastic job here. Robert Carlyle (Eragon) also turns in a fine performance, and Rose Byrne of Insidious fame stops as well, but overall the acting is a step down from the first film. The movie moves at a very good pace, and there are some pretty surprising moments along the way. The story is very smart and the film is sure to keep you glued the entire time. The movie ends with a lead in to what has long been rumored to be the third installment of the film, allegedly 28 Months Later, but alas, nothing has come about yet. While most sequels do not live up to the original, this one comes awfully close.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

28 Weeks Later Movie Trailer

THE THING (1982)

The Thing Movie Review

A Norwegian helicopter lands at an American research base in Antarctica--the pilot accidentally blows himself up, and his passenger is determined to kill a dog they have been chasing. Unfortunately, the gunman speaks no English and is killed by one of the Americans before having the opportunity to explain why he is trying to kill the dog. The Americans soon discover the dog isn't quite what it appears to be. I revisited this classic for the first time in years after watching the 2011 prequel and it is actually pretty cool watching them in this order--the bonus scene during the credits of the 2011 film leads nicely into the opening scene of the 1982 film. John Carpenter directed this film and, much like the prequel, this one under-performed at the box office, but that is by no means a measuring stick to the awesomeness of the movie.  What this film is known for first and foremost, and rightfully so, is the special effects.

Like This

And This

The effects seen in this film are light years ahead of their time, and would be an inspiration for many movies to follow in the 80s. To me, stuff like this is far scarier than the CGI infested movies we are subjected to in most films of the past twenty-plus years, and it really doesn't get any better than what we see here. With the exception of Kurt Russell, the acting leaves a bit to be desired, but it is by no means bad enough to distract away from the focus of the film. At 109 minutes the film does run a bit longer than it needed to. Still, the story is a good one (based on the 1938 Who Goes There by John W. Campbell Jr.), the action is edge of your seat stuff, there's plenty of suspense, the scares are often, and the ending is one that has been the subject of debate since the film was released. The Thing is often touted as one of the all time horror greats, a title the movie certainly deserves.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

The Thing Movie Trailer

THE THING (2011)

The Thing (2011) Movie Review

A team of Norweigian researchers discover an alien spacecraft buried deep in the ice of Antarctica. After bringing in a team of specialists, including American paleontologist Kate Lloyd (horror vet Mary Elizabeth Winstead, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Final Destination 3), they discover the creature inside is still alive--and very deadly. This prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 film of the same name was released in 2011 and was a major disappointment in the box office--I saw it on a three story screen when it was released, and after picking it up on DVD for a couple dollars a few days ago, I watched it for the first time since--I liked the movie when I saw it in the theater, and I liked it just as much the second time around. While not a terribly scary film, it is filled with unsettling visuals.

She looks unsettled

Winstead makes a likable and believable hero, and Ulrich Thomsen turns in a very good supporting performance. This movie is somewhat rare in that it has "big budget popcorn flick" written all over it, yet maintains enough blood and carnage to keep the gorehound satisfied. Many of the death scenes are violent and quite unexpected, which only adds to this appeal. As someone who hates being cold, I would have liked to have seen them play more on how deadly simply being outside in that environment could be--this seemed like an obvious addition, yet it is not explored nearly enough--fortunately, there is more than enough going on in the film to make up for that. The filmmakers did an outstanding job in making this a fitting prequel to the 1982 film--fans of that movie will delight in seeing the groundwork laid out for many scenes we see in the John Carpenter classic. No, The Thing is not a great horror movie, but it is one I enjoy watching and recommend.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

The Thing Red Band Movie Trailer

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

Paranormal Activity Movie Review

Young couple Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) suspect strange happenings while they sleep and set up a camera to record the overnight events, but what they discover is worse than they could have imagined. This game changing film brought a realistic fear the big screen had not witnessed since The Blair Witch Project some ten years earlier.

"Think I'll just stand here a while..."

Honestly, there is a lot to like about this film. Our two leads do a wonderful job in their respective roles, and the natural chemistry of the two only heightens the sense of realism in this movie--it is easy to believe this is an actual couple we are watching. The film's formula is similar to that of a Japanese ghost movie--a slow build with each scare getting progressively more frightening, leading up to the fantastic ending. Speaking of ending, this one has two: the Spielberg ending seen in theaters, and the more terrifying alternate ending. Paranormal Activity isn't a movie filled with a bunch of blood and gore, but the scares, while much more subtle, are no less creepy--given the proper setting, this movie may even leave you feeling a bit uneasy. This movie isn't without its flaws--there are some noticeable continuity errors and the overuse of dissolve may drive you to fits, but Paranormal Activity inspired many other films, kicked off an incredibly successful franchise, and, most importantly, is a genuinely scary movie.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Paranormal Activity Movie Trailer

FRANKENSTEIN (1931)

Frankenstein Movie Review

Mad scientist Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) sets out on a mission to create a human out of body parts of the recently deceased. When his plan actually works, Frankenstein and crew are not prepared for what comes next. This 1931 classic is a great way to start off my favorite time of year--October. Horror movies, falling leaves, Halloween, haunted houses, postseason baseball...what's NOT to love about October?! What's that you say? My birthday? Okay, yes, there's that, and getting older is no fun--the psychological scarring of another year gone is a lot to deal with, but my girlfriend always makes that dreaded day special, so I can get past it.

"I wish you would"

Okay, right, back to the movie. Frankenstein is considered one of the all time great horror classics, and I am a bit ashamed I have never reviewed it before. Boris Karloff brings the monster to life in one of the most legendary performances in film history. His ability to effectively scare us and make us feel a connection to, and even compassion for, this character is a true testament to what a fantastic actor Karloff was. To me it's not necessarily anything the monster actually does in the film that makes him so memorable--it's Karloff's performance that has stood the test of time. Tragically overshadowed is the performance of Clive. The sheer number of emotions this guy goes through in this film, from the feeling of being God to the ultimate regret, requires a special kind of actor to pull off successfully, and Clive does just that. Visually the movie is stunning. The movie is not without its drawbacks--the acting of some of the secondary characters comes to mind, along with the borderline absurd plot and outcome--but it's easy to see why Frankenstein is considered one of the all time greats.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Frankenstein Movie Trailer

STRANGER THINGS (Season One)

Stranger Things Season One Review

It has occurred to me that in the X number of years I have been doing this site I have never reviewed a television show, so on this Thursday night, in honor of the social media theme related to this day, lets look at a TV show that throws things back to the 1980's: Stranger Things. After a middle school aged boy disappears in a small Indiana town, his group of friends, his mother, and the police department go looking for him. Along the way they uncover government secrets and experiments, mysteries, a monster, and a little girl who possesses incredible powers.

Her...yes, this is a girl...I think...

This Netflix original series is a wonderful blend of horror, science fiction, a dash of comedy, and a Twilight Zone creepiness. There isn't really a great deal of gore, but the suspense throughout the season more than makes up for this. For the most part the acting is good--even the children, believe it or not. Some of the teenagers turn in questionable performances, and they certainly could have casted a better actor for the sheriff. The biggest name attached to the show is 1990s icon Winona Ryder--Gen Xers, be warned--seeing Winona at this age, and playing the mother of a high school kid, may be a shock to the system.

My thoughts exactly

The show isn't entirely original--it borrows a bit from Insidious, and its nods to Poltergeist, E.T., IT, and A Nightmare On Elm Street are anything but subtle. As for the 1980s, they really nailed the look and feel of an 80s horror film, and the selection of music is fantastic--you can't go wrong with The Clash, Joy Division, and New Order, but it can be distracting when a show set in 1983 plays a song that wasn't recorded until 1987.

Specifically, this song

But hey, we all love The Bangles, so this can be overlooked. Overall, Stranger Things breaths fresh air into a genre of television show that is rarely good, or even interesting for that matter--a better ending could have done wonders with how the show (or at least the first season) will be remembered. While season two has not been announced officially as of this moment, one can only assume it's inevitable, and one can only hope they maintain the momentum of season one.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Stranger Things Season One Trailer

WRONG TURN

Wrong Turn Movie Review

Six young people are stranded and chased through the backwoods of West Virginia by three disfigured inbreds who are well trained with weapons and love to kill--a simple plot that reminds me of a cross between The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. I remember seeing this in the theatre when it first came out and I later received it as a gift, and having just finished watching it again, I think I like it more than ever.

Don't go that way...

There is nothing outstanding about it--it is just a really solid horror movie, from the believable fear shown by the victims to the creepy silliness of the killers (one in particular) to some really cool death scenes to intense moments here and there. The cast, lead by Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse, Tru Calling) and Desmond Harrington (Ghost Ship, Dexter), is pretty strong here, and mercifully the weaker actors are killed off fairly early. This is just a fun, cool horror film with a nod to 70’s grindhouse. I recommend it.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Wrong Turn Movie Trailer

GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster Movie Review

Ghidorah, a vicious three-headed monster from outer space, arrives outside Tokyo to unleash destruction upon Earth. It's up to Mothra and, much to their hesitation, Godzilla and Rodan, to battle the beast and save the planet. This 1964 film is brought to us by director Ishiro Honda, the man responsible for all the original Godzilla films (as well as several other monster movies) and it delivers the goods. Of course Godzilla and Rodan look as awesome as always, and Ghidorah, making his debut here, proves to be perhaps the most impressive nemesis of any Godzilla film. The final battle features all four monsters, providing awesomeness the likes of which this world rarely sees.

Behold and appreciate

We even get a battle for the ages between Godzilla and Rodan prior to the two joining forces. Naturally, there's a lot more going on in this film as well (we HAVE to have a human element don't we?), and it's all fairly bizarre. We have a princess (Akiko Wakabayashi) who, after narrowly escaping (somehow) an exploding plane, is possessed (?) by an alien being coming to Earth to warn us of Ghidorah's intentions. We have assassins trying to track the alien/princess down, trying to finish the job they failed at when they blew up the plane. There are numerous "experts" and scientists of one sort or another coming and going constantly. And perhaps most bizarre/awesome, there is a conversation between Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan interpreted by twin fairy friends of Mothra who talk simultaneously, one saying the same thing as the other, with voices that may put one in mind of chipmunks, and they look, well, lets just see a picture...

There they are

To top this scene off perfectly, the girls actually admonish Godzilla for using foul language. This film is historic for two reasons: it is the first appearance in film of Ghidorah, and is the last movie (among the originals anyway) Godzilla appears in as anything other than a full-blown hero. The scenes with the miniatures are fantastic--look, we all know the monsters are guys in rubber suits stomping on fake buildings and throwing fake rocks, but it is that charm that makes these films so lovable and truly cherished--the scene of Ghidorah's initial rampage is brilliant in this sense, and the scene of Ghidorah first forming is incredibly memorable (it's in the trailer below, starting at 24 seconds). If you are a monster movie fan (as I am), Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster is an absolute must-see film.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster Movie Trailer

HUSH

Hush Movie Review

Maddie (Kate Siegel) is a deaf writer living in a house out in the woods and struggling to finish the follow-up to her first successful novel. Her mundane life becomes more interesting one night, however, as a masked killer shows up at her door. This 2016 film from Mike Flanagan (Oculus) fires on all cylinders, resulting in a truly terrifying movie. The premise itself is scary enough--a home invasion--but add to this the victim being deaf and not able to know, at times, there is somebody watching her, and you get edge of your seat terror.

For God's sake, turn around!

It is by pure chance the movie I most recently reviewed before this one has a similar storyline, but if you look at that review you will see everything that is wrong with using silence to build tension in a film--Hush is the complete opposite, using silence to leave the viewer biting his or her nails while trembling in fear. Adding to the uneasy feeling is knowing the madman isn't there to simply kill Maddie--he wants to make her suffer psychologically, terrorizing her from outside the house while reminding her he can come into the house and finish her off any time he wishes. The acting is solid--Siegel is a compassionate victim while John Gallagher Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane) is genuinely creepy as the killer.

Jehovah's Witness?

If this isn't enough for your liking there's also a fair bit of blood and gore thrown in, and some of the death scenes are absolutely brutal. Recognize this movie is not everybody's cup of tea--a quick search reveals the run time of this film is 81 minutes and less than 15 minutes of that is spoken dialogue, so if an atmospheric buildup is not your thing, you may want to skip it. Personally I believe Hush to be one of the finest horror films of recent years--it is the movie The Strangers wanted to be.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Hush Movie Trailer

Here's an added bonus: The song that has been in my head since I watched this movie...

GODZILLA (2014)

Godzilla Movie Review

It's 1999, and a nuclear plant in Japan is destroyed by an unknown source. Fifteen years later, American Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) and his son Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) return to the scene to attempt to discover what caused the disaster that took the life of the mother of their family. Soon an ancient monster known as a M.U.T.O. is released and officials must figure out if they should use weapons of mass destruction to destroy the creature, or something even more powerful.

This guy

I saw this in theaters when it came out in 2014 and decided to pop in the DVD to give it another look today. Let me just  say I grew up a huge fan of Godzilla. Some of my favorite memories as a child are of watching Godzilla films with my family, and nothing they have done has managed to kill off my love of this monster--I even enjoy the 1998 film and am not ashamed to admit it.

Don't look at me like that

This movie is very strong in character development and the acting is largely good throughout. Cranstan and Taylor-Johnson turn in good performances, and Ken Watanabe (Inception, Batman Begins) steals the show as Dr. Serizawa. I still very much love the guy in the rubber suit Godzilla, so every time I see the King of Monsters done in any other way I am hesitant, but he truly does look impressive here. M.U.T.O. is a little less impressive, but still looks like a cool combination of Mothra and Gyaos from monster movies of years gone by.

Look, here's M.U.T.O. now

While the monsters are not in the film much, when they are all hell breaks loose--there's lots of destruction, chaos, and the final battle scene is one for the ages--when Godzilla unleashed his atomic breath I may or may not have shrieked like a teenage girl. Naturally the movie does have its drawbacks. A LOT of the film is so dark it is difficult, if not impossible, to see what is happening. Unfortunately, this tends to happen at the worst times and the frustration level grows as the movie moves along. Some scenes are a bit redundant, making the final running time of over two hours about ten or fifteen minutes longer than it needed to be. And yes, while I appreciate the build up and anticipation of FINALLY seeing Godzilla, once he arrives he gets very little screen time. These minor annoyances aside, this movie does a lot of justice to the legend of Godzilla, and I am excited to see what comes next.

On A Scale Of One To Ten: 8

Godzilla Movie Trailer