(Liam Gavin, 2017)
Since many of the older horror films are unavailable on DVD/Netflix, I'm left with watching some of IFC Midnight/Scream Factory's latest offerings. This Irish supernatural thriller follows a woman trying to make contact with her deceased son. She's aided by a fucked up occultist, whose severe methods will test both of them. It's a good setup, but that's almost all this film is. It keeps almost delivering. Anytime something interesting is about to happen or a payoff looms, the film immediately goes another direction. With Steve Oram and Catherine Walker. GRADE: C+
(Andrzej Bartkowiak, 2005)
Genetically enhanced humanoids wreak havoc at a space station in this adaptation of the video game. One of Dwayne Johnson's earlier film efforts, the former wrestler was still learning the "acting on film" ropes as he was a little rough around the edges. His co-stars Rosamund Pike and Karl Urban fare better, even if their sibling characters seem to have more of an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend dynamic. Special effects and gore are okay, about what you'd expect for a Resident Evil knockoff. GRADE: C
(Braden Croft, 2014)
Speaking of Resident Evil, that franchise's co-star Shawn Roberts appears in this low budget, direct-to-DVD yarn about two brothers searching for what happened to their mother. When they were just boys, she went missing in a town where the residents appear to be hiding something in the forest. Something hungry. Shawn Roberts is really hot, and I've never gotten why he didn't become a bigger star. This is important because Shawn is one of the few things you can see clearly in the film. The picture quality is dim as can be. I'm a sucker for sasquatch movies, but the visual problem really inhibits this one from working. GRADE: C-
(Mark L. Lester, 1984)
An eight-year-old Drew Barrymore plays Charlie, a girl who can start fires with her mind. Charlie and her dad (David Keith) go on the run from a secret government agency known as "The Shop".An adaptation of Stephen King's story, this is basically a much younger version of Carrie. Like that film, it saves it's bloodshed for the ending. The special effects in that scene are surprisingly good for the era, but the film itself generates zero suspense and it really suffers from the comparisons to the superior teenage telekinetic tale. Also with Martin Sheen, Heather Locklear and George C. Scott. GRADE: C+
(John Irvin, 1981)
A handful of legendary stars play former fraternity brothers who share a secret from decades before involving a young woman. Now, a mysterious woman is involved in the death's of several people around them. Is the young woman back from the grave? (Well, obviously...) Slow burn chiller that probably would have to be severely revamped story-wise if it were ever to be remade in the post-#MeToo era. Some cool effects for the era, and given the old school cast there's a surprising amount of sex and nudity. With Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbacks Jr and John Houseman. A young Alice Krige makes an ethereal impression as the doomed young woman. GRADE: B-
(Genndy Tartakovksy, 2018)
Latest installment in the popular animated franchise in which Dracula and his family and friends go on a cruise vacation. There, he meets a cruise director he falls for. Only problem is she's the descendant of Van Helsing. Some amusing gags, but the film's pacing is too rapid fire. Too much of the humor feels recycled from the other films. I'd say the second is probably the best in this franchise. With the voices of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez and Kathryn Hahn. GRADE: C
(Deon Taylor, 2019)
Dennis Quaid plays a psychotic man who sells his home to a nice couple (Michael Ealy, Meagan Good) only to start terrorizing them when they move in. Yes, it's very TV movie-ish, and a throwback to the early 90's when these films were in vogue on the big screen. Screen Gems has had tremendous luck with low budget thrillers that pretty much deliver what they promise and little else. It's amusing to see Quaid play against type, though you have to wonder if Good's character had some kind of brain damage for not realizing he was a nutjob. Thanks to the PG-13 rating, it ends about 5 seconds before it should. If you're gonna make this type of movie, at least fully commit. GRADE: C+
(Ari Aster, 2019)
Aster's follow-up to last year's superior Hereditary is another examination of grief amidst horror. It Girl Florence Pugh plays a young woman who lost her sister and parents in a murder-suicide. She tags along with her boyfriend and his friends to Sweden, where a remote village is celebrating it's mid-summer festival. The festivities grow from increasingly ominous to outright violent. The film owes a debt of gratitude to The Wicker Man and several others. I was fully with this film for about 2/3 of 147-minute runtime, and then realized it really didn't have anything new to bring to the table. Though I have to say, I really appreciate A24 bringing these types of film to wide audiences. Years/decades ago, they never would have made it out of arthouses. Pugh continues to impress, while Jack Reynor and Will Poulter lead the solid supporting cast. GRADE: B
(Wes Craven, 1989)
One of my last Craven blind-spots. *sheds a tear* After his family is murdered, a hotshot college football player (Peter Berg) aids the police in taking down the serial killer (Mitch Pileggi, pre X-Files) responsible. After being sentenced to death, he returns by inhabiting various bodies and hopes to exact revenge on the young athlete. Again, I was with this for most of the runtime, but the ending is a little too comical and with very 80's effects. They do that thing where people are running through the TV like in that one Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror". It doesn't quite live up to the first act, which is very violent with excellent production design. Happy 30th! GRADE: B-
(Christopher Smith, 2009)
After their yacht is upturned during a sea storm, a group of friends finds an abandoned ship in the middle of the ocean. (In the Bermuda Triangle, perhaps!) Once onboard, they discover someone is out to kill them and time appears to have stopped altogether. More of a mind bender than a scary tale, it delivers a solid payoff but it's hard to care about anything happening. Sadly, it's a decent concept mostly wasted. For a low budget feature, the special effects during the storm sequence deliver. With Melissa George, doing the best she can, and Liam Hemsworth looking hot. GRADE: C+
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