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Frankenstein 2000 - Ritorno dalla morte (1992)
Not the way it is but the way you imagine it could be
This is an inordinate special movie, so will be my review. Neither in a way it's terrific but nor it's awful. Same time can't say it's average. The grade is for this movie is hard to figure out. I can only say I loved it. To be quite sincere I'll encounter all the ingredients. It starts out very realistic, preparing more to a drama than horror (in a good way) First 30 minutes we get to known to the following three things: the city is under the power of governor Hoffner, Georgia (Monreale) is telepathic, Rick is a former boxer a bit sick in head but fairly a nice man and in love in Georgia (the most tragic circumstance of the movie), Georgia's gift gives her nightmares seeing a maniac after her little boy Stephen some time. Hoffner's son and his two friends make an attempt to rape Georgia. First one misses, the second time they manage. But first they knock off Rick that comes to Georgia's house with flowers. After they beat Georgia to coma, rape her and leave, police arrests Rick. Rick knows his sickness and even thinks he could do it. He doesn't talk, so nobody doubts it's his work. Then governor orders two guys from his security and the autopsy doctor to murder Rick in the cell make it like a suicide so that he never talks again
Then the atmosphere kicks in Georgia brings Rick back to life. Rick is out to punish everybody involved in this case three bustards, two cops and even the governor. Frankly I wasn't sure how I felt about this movie watching for the first time until I watch the second time and realized I'd love to watch it again. It seems a lot longer though it's only 93 minutes all because the script is rich and deep. Some moments are just great but there are some serious goofs unfortunately straight after an excellent scene of resurrection follows the autopsy scene when you clearly see the corpse breathing and even winking (so does Monreale in the very end however the goof is saved by the unexpected final shot that will keep you thinking or at least watch the movie again). The Frankenstein make-up is very good but the others are not that compelling. The killing scenes start well, and even with very little gore they are nice because of the good acting. Especially I enjoyed the two security guys' murder scene. Acting provides a lot of great little moments that keep you inside it. The script is very good. Richly colourful, atmospheric, suspenseful, dramatic, dynamic, excellent score. Yes, the pleasure of this movie is the atmosphere. D'Amato is genius to shot that kind of masterpiece with such a low budget. The thing is you don't that see it the way the make-up is but the way it could be with a little more money. Really, I can assure you despite of "considered" one of D'Amato's wicker horror efforts, it surely involves Joe's talent the most (just like "Endgame" and "Absurd" other two hard to get flicks, Joe's best, for me this is the third one) Decent movie, it's good as thriller and as drama and a little horror. It's scary not that scary as traditional but as dramatic horror, I mean it's more "Dead man's shoes" that other Frankenstein movies. 7 out of 10! Don't believe all the reviews making you believe it's crap. Genius. One word. Don't miss it. If you like being entertained be sure it's highly entertaining. I'd rather by the soundtrack. Love you Joe D'Amato. You were so good. R.I.P.
Mortuary (2005)
Decent movie, brilliant dark comedy
I always say it's all about whether you like Hooper movies or not. Mortuary like Toolbox murders is like his past efforts all in a god way. Hooper is director that always mixes dark comedy with horror. Mixes well. It's quite an impressing, well-arranged. Special make-up is compelling and the CGI's are O.K. either except one scene. We'll be back to it at the end. A family moves to a new place near graveyard. Locals believe it's a cursed place. Yes, it is. You will quickly realize this is not going to turn out a scary movie, but that's not what Hooper was after I believe. It's hard to comment telling you all my impression, in fact I can't precisely say what I really loved in here, but it was like "Texas chainsaw massacre 2", "Funhouse" and partially "Toolbox murders". The acting was just what I wanted to see. The jokes are excellent and characters are absolutely natural. Especially I enjoyed the little girl screams, they were funny. The scene with her giving candy to undead Bobby Fowler was like the classic one from "Texas chainsaw massacre 2" with Bill Johnson trying to put the leather mask on Caroline Williams. In general imagine what it would be like if you take "Fantasy" (might not be the right word), "dark comedy" and a bit of "horror". I love this movie. Hooper's done a nice job. Right now I'm out to get his "Night terrors", see if I can get the DVD. 8 out of 10! I have no gripe.
Red Eye (2005)
Fresh movie
For me there are two kinds of Wes Craven recently - a horror maker, and simply my favorite director. Basically I liked his movies first time after "Scream 2" and my first impression of him was more about thriller and not horror. Frankly I always considered Wes more intelligent than any other ordinary horror director because of his ability to expose everything in kind of optimistic and bright way if you know what I mean. Red eye in this way is a glaring example of that it has never been Craven's dream to direct horror movies. "It wasn't my lifelong dream to become a horror director or a scariest guy in the world, it just happens, it seemed the most logical thing in the world to step out of it, literally step rather than leap, would be to do a thriller" I quote him. The plot is about the accomplishment of political murder. A girl is terrorized to redeem some demands or else she's risking her father's life. I frankly enjoyed this movie as well as Craven's other works. "Cursed" wasn't bad but I prefer this one much better. It was nice to hear Wes has plans to step out of genre and start making other movies. It all started with Music of the heart. It continues with Red eye. Nice work, Wes. Regards, Jakob.
Highly recommended 10 out of 10!
Quella villa accanto al cimitero (1981)
Shining 2 in the evil dead forest house by the cemetery
SPOILERS A man with his family move into a forest house by the cemetery where terrible things happen. The plot reminds shining, but is shot in standard Fulci style. First murder scene is not bad, at least much promising in the account of special make-up. Next good thing you'll notice is the terrific music by Walter Rizatti. That's the best I've ever met in Italian horror. Now, despite of having much in common with "Shining", everything's done specific. Perhaps first 15 minutes are not much of dynamic, but fairly are not boring at all. As the inhabitants are to spend the first night in new place, it's really for the first night. Could be scarier of course, but it's O.K. Soon you realize (if you saw "Toolbox murders") there's some space in the house not that easy to get it inhabited by somebody else. But the fact doesn't scare much, perhaps Fulci left the culmination for the second half, let's hope. The scene with bat begins slightly weak: when it gets into Anna Pieroni's hair, Paolo Malco waits too long before acting, but the part he kills the bat with scissors is impressing. Then the second killing of real estate agent this time seems very familiar if you saw "New York ripper", the killer tortures poor victim for long before killing. It's enough bloody, but what really surprised me is how Pieroni's heroine couldn't notice the housekeeper washing off the blood in the kitchen. Perhaps with some kind of other acting they could have made us believe. Besides , we still don't know what Dr. Freudstein was really doing in that house, but don't count it as a gripe. Now one super part: as P. Malco's listening to the tape with Peterson's voice, we see the torture room full of cut-off human body parts. This was done professionally, same thing I can say about blood getting out of tombstone. Nice! For the first 60 minutes my basic impression is good slasher, but not that scary. One scene really amazed me: the murder scene of housekeeper. Such a nice make-up, and so indifferent to her life victim. But still we haven't seen the boogie man and still are as tough as we were, not afraid at all. Tell me, why the little would go into the same basement, where he saw a cut-off head. And why when the doors locks itself, and the boy's knocking on the door crying for help, his mother is not much in hurry to get him out. She heard the story about cut-off and was terrified herself thinking something lives in the basement. Then what's she thinking? Perhaps a cup of coffee first, and then the rest. One basic problem is the movie is slow, sometimes acting is weak. But with all this the movie is not bad. I judge strict because Fulci's the real horror maestro, I demand much from him. Amazing! The final scene comes up with all slight disappointments you felt. I frankly felt sorry for I was thinking bad about this film. The final was super. But I want to point out again the score earns special credit. 6 ½ out of 10. I love Fulci.
Blade: Trinity (2004)
I welcome
May contain spoilers Perhaps it has something right shooting another Blade with not that much action.
Really, this one is very different.
Nice story!
It turns out Dracula (or at least somebody like him) exists. He's dug in a desert and a couple of survived vampires bring him back to life. He's day-walker like Blade. They want his DNA to create a new race with no fear of the sun. This time Whistler really gets killed, but instead of him Blade will get new company: another command hunting for vampires with Whistler's pretty daughter (princess Jessica Biel) inside. (I'm her fan since the last "Texas chainsaw massacre"). Hunters get Blade out of FBI building after he's arrested. The members of the group are really nicely "arranged". The rest of the movie is well-known (no way boring, I'm going to watch it for the third time) but unlike Blade 2 this part contains more drama. I love touching scenes in any genre. Basically Blade 3 doesn't contain much action but I think that is Goyer's plan of changing some game rules. I think he managed, he did it right. You see, the point is there are even not many vampires left and more: Blade himself will probably die in the end. Everybody's getting ready to face the fate. In one word, let's watch Blade one more time, perhaps it's the last time. That's why I'll say again: Goyer really wanted to say something with this movie. At least this is rare case when 3rd part turns out really watch-worthy. Right now I can't find a single gripe. Lot of things are really cool and unexpected in here, but the ending (contains a bit sad elements, plus very impressing narration) was really something. Great final!
Some might feel discomfort. That's what I felt watching first time because of the huge contrast between previous 2 parts and this one, but the second time I thought it's nice. I like it. I'd really own DVD (and let me say, I don't own first 2 "Blades"). Don't be afraid of changes. This one is right and good. Mr. Goyer and the rest of the crew! I frankly welcome what you did. Highly recommended! 8 out of 10.
10 to Midnight (1983)
Special credit for Gene Davis
Special credit for Gene Davis 10 to midnight is obviously one of the best maniac-killer movies presented by legendary Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus. Lieutenant Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) and detective McAnn (Andrew Stevens) are investigating a murder of sexual character. It's done professionally: no evidence, no witnesses, and 100 percent alibi. The killer is skilled enough to get naked before cutting the girl he feels jealous for. First there are no links but as the Warren (Gene Davis) has to kill once again to get fully cleaned, Kessler knows for sure who's doing all this after the second killing. But there's problem, they still have no evidence. But what worries Kessler most of all is that the first victim was making friends with his own daughter and the killer is already interested in her. Kessler decides to put the Warren behind bars whatever it costs, because he knows the guy's unstoppable: the thing is the "poor" guy is vengeful for he's always been refused by women. So Kessler fabricates the evidence by getting some blood of the first victim on the jacket Warren was supposed to be wearing that day, that evening when the girl was killed. Unfortunately his plan doesn't work because McAnn is too young to agree solve the case that way. Lawyers win the court and Warren straight after that continues troubling Kessler's daughter with his threatening phone calls. What do you think Mr. Bronson will do now? Rather smart movie with impressing characters, alerting plot and simply excellent score. Very pleasant atmosphere, lot of memorable. Gore account is average for 80's. For instance, in the part Bronson's reading victim's diary to the suspect, Warren nervous reaction doesn't have much to do with cops in his apartment, he gets mad learning how many boyfriends the girl had. The girl that kept him far. Especially I want to point Gene Davis has really got deep into his character's head. A mentally demented guy with no friends, no parents, no women sympathy. Hiss acting really has something to remind Brad Davis from "Midnight express", that's why I give special credit for his play. Highly recommended! 10 out of 10.
Bride of Re-Animator (1990)
Poor re-animator...
Sick and bad! Only to satisfy meat-lovers
TRUE SPOILERS I've never been re-animator's fan, but after Stuart Gordon's masterpiece, "Bride of re-animator" is more than disappointing. There's no script and plot either at all. That's why Yuzna just uses endless bunch of special make-up as red herring. Have you ever compared Hellraiser 2 with 1st Hellraiser? This is just the same. Bad, really bad. West and Caine use the basement of a house by the cemetery as a lab. Nothing new really goes on the whole movie besides what we already expect to happen. Everything's too slow. In the end there's no culmination. Just an army of living dead raising as the "beauty" bride of re-animator breaks the capsule with reagent and it spreads to the other side of the wall between the lab and the crypt. Terror to watch! The only good part is the one shutting talking cut-off head with apple. 2 out of 10. Nothing to recommend! Third re-animator is much better than this one. And this is Yuzna's worst movie. Almost as bad as it gets! Sorry!
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)
No that best for the "last"
This movie was too much like Texas chainsaw massacre 3. If Texas massacre 3 was as bad as it gets, then this one was a bit higher, but only a bit. Freddy's disturbing a teenager who's afraid of height and who's thrown by Freddy somehow to another town where he meets three more teenagers having the same Freddy-mania. With their doctor they get to Springwood where of course they get lost, appear on Elm street. Then three of them are killed. The doctor and a girl still alive go back. Where with the help of another doctor they decide to pull Freddy out of the dream and then only kill (we saw that in the very first part, remember?) HORROR, IN A VERY BAD MEANING. As it was released it had the mark "they saved the best for the last" on. Well, this is no way the best for the last. Only one thing could hardly save this movie from the complete shame and failure this nightmare was to kill Freddy forever and everybody went to see Freddy for the last time. The filmmakers of this project perhaps had forgotten what the movie and the story were really about. Freddy had knives on his hand which he didn't use even single time in this part. The ideas of showing Freddy before he was burnt, his childhood and his daughter were good, but absolutely not developed. The script is very empty. Perhaps dialogs are average but the plot is really boring, nothing really goes on even when somebody gets killed. There's even an episode of Lisa Zane's really poor acting. The part where they show how Freddy was really killed and the dream "things" fading in and saying "Freddy, we know what you need" is so pathetic. Characters are not many. Victims are only free plus one hardly linked with the movie. That's one problem. Freddy's absolutely not scary and Englund's standard acting really has something to do with my nerves. There's almost no special make-up here. New Line cinema is now my favourite studio, but the beginning of 90's didn't turn out so good for them. Now this is what happens when you get greedy. The producers were sure the good cover is enough to come up with everything in this movie, and if they hired such good directors like Renee Harlin (4), Steven Hopkins (5), Chuck Russell(3) for the previous shot parts, now they let Rachel Talalay direct this one. It could be much better because it was the last one, and as I said already, the idea for the script was really good, it shouldn't be killed such a stupid way. 1 out of 10. Very bad.
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Real madness!
Sam Neil plays a private detective hired to investigate the disappearance of one very famous author, much tougher than world-known Mr. Steven King. His name is Sutter Cane (Jurgen Prochnow). It must be pointed out people are ready to kill for his books. To get well known to the man he's looking for Neil passes through his "masterpieces". Step by step he realizes something's happening to his mind. I mean he loses it step by step. At first nightmares, or closer sometimes he can't feel the broad between reality and endless terror nightmarish world created by the man he's after. Seeking the guy brings him to a town called Hob's end. It's a fictitious place either. At first one could read about it only in Sutter Cane's book. Strange, freaky and terrible things happen here all the time. Despite of real mental problems Neil still has to bring Cane back. I think Carpenter wanted to say "guys, if you want somebody back, it's O.K. Go get him, find him. Go anywhere, to the end of the world if you like, but not into the madness. You can't turn back then". Really, this movie has something to do with our minds. It has no scary scenes. I mean scary the way we used to consider like in a standard horror movie sudden, unexpected and loud
No, perhaps one or two episodes, that's not the point. You'll get scared for what a single man can do to the world with a single book. Now, that's really scary. And really global. Cult, cult, cult! I just can't be Carpenter's stable fan. I still remember troubles caused by this "thriller" in 96, first time I saw it, but what's more amazing. I didn't lose my chance to watch it again recently. This time I thought I can handle it. You think I could do it? You guess right. Of course
no. You can't get used to it or fight it. Just sit back to enjoy the show. Enjoy it. If you don't, there won't be mercy from Carpenter. I really advice you to have some breaks during watching, may be have some TV talk-show pause for 5 minutes, then continue watching. Just find the way of not going too deep. Otherwise, you don't know what you're dealing with. Perhaps when you read the script is not written by John, you don't expect much, but you'll get much more you need. It's rich in everything. I don't even want to encounter, but the mix done by Carpenter really makes troubles. It makes mad. Highly recommended! (sorry for you, guys, I'm so sorry) Perfect! (what is true, it is true)
Just be careful! He sees you.
Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)
Jesus!
Terror to watch! Just tell me how leather face could survive after he got chainsaw into his stomach, plus was exploded. Perhaps they were preparing audiences for "Leather face vs. Terminator" or something like. Anyway! The movie begins with a pretty stupid narration jurors concluded something that is illogic itself and no way explains how leather face is still alive and how the Sawyer adventures continue. You really don't understand what has really happened since Texas 2. Who are these people? What are they doing here, where'V they been during the previous two parts and how can they be connected with Sawyers? Is this some kind of enigma? Awful! I just hope Tobe Hooper hasn't seen it. Nothing comes up with Texas 3. It's amazingly boring, empty predictable. Nothing unexpected! Terror to watch! The plot is a girl and a medic student driving to Texas. On their way they get into some troubles with a freaky and one-eyed guy from the road café where a cowboy (V. Mortensen) "saves" their lives. After a couple of slight road adventures they get into a real trouble. The acting like everything is very wrong. The cannibalistic family has even a little girl involved now and leather face has too brothers, mother and the same more dead by now grandpa. There's neither atmosphere nor acting. The script is lame. Besides, the house where "bad guys" live is more like a compact military base, stupid! The casting is wrong, the directress is awful, only the main title score prepares you for the best and that's all. UNAIMABLE MONEY WASTE AND NOTHING MORE! LEAVE LEATHER FACE RIP. AT LEAST DON'T DIG OUT FOR EVERY Crappy SCRIPT. There's only a slightly average scene when leather face's doing his lesson's and dials the word "food" three times for the "clown" picture. And that's the only good thing, because there's not single a character to have your attention. Even the potential victims are so lame you don't much care if they'll get killed. You won't even wait for Leather to do it, but take over his duty. Yeah, it's really that bad! Sorry! O out of 10! I'm really sorry.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
Not Craven's best work.
Perhaps Wes didn't find any other good way of closing Krueger theme than killing out of genre, in "real life" so that no one could even try to bring him back to life. Heather Langenkamp (herself) faces real problems when it turns out her son Dylan suffers with the same night terrors she had in "nightmare on Elm Street" movies. The point is Freddy came out of the movie to punish the shot crew for they didn't want to shoot another Elm Street movie. Perhaps the movie had more quality than Nightmares 2 and 6, but the story is wrong. It is nice to see your idol (Wes Craven) in a movie, but the explanation he gives Heather about how Freddy stuck in our world, is too childish. There are some good plot turns, but the plot in general is average. There are not many characters. That's already bad. Besides, the ending is weak when Dylan falls into Krueger's kingdom. I didn't like the designer work. 4 out of 10 (for Craven's appearance).
The Thing (1982)
Rear Thing!
Well, let's start with it's more than just a classic movie, and obviously it will always remain fresh. Perhaps that's because the producers really spent enough money to make one of the best alien movies in world history. A group of American scientists have to struggle an alien parasite not to let it get out of Antarctica and infect the rest of the Earth. The thing is a damned good arranged special make-up. For the beginning of 80's
I still can't believe this film is one year older than me taking into account what I saw. I still don't believe it. You won't see nothing like that in movies nowadays. The makers really did a nice job.
The atmosphere is A+, Ennio Morricone's name says much as the score writer, the directress is good, plot comes up with every minute you watch the film, and every spec. effect is more beautiful than the previous one. Very rich!
In one word, super movie. I'm not Carpenter's fan, I've only seen "In the mouth of madness" but I'd rather watch his other films after this one. It was fairly good.
10 of 10!
Highly recommended!
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
I love Hooper
This movie would never be imported to Armenia so one of my pals hardly managed getting it from Russia. That's the way the 74 Texas massacre's sequel should really be. it's very different from original, but Hooper did a nice job to make everything right. Dennis Hopper is playing former sheriff Lefty Einright. The maniac's killed his brother's children in 73. They were Sally and Frank Hardesty. Now he's to avenge. It'll be some special revenge. The movie begins with two "criminal parodies" are driving the Texas road, shooting the road signs and listening to DJ Stretch's(Caroline Williams) station. Then they give her a call and start making troubles... They even appear to be so stupid to trouble the respective Mr. Leatherface and his survived brother after falling under truck in first part. Very soon they get sewed and pretty Stretch's taping all that noise as the hoodlums don't hang the phone. The crime's investigated but Lefty wants to start his private one. He's not with cops. He wants to punish the maniac's his own way. Stretch is really eager to help. She finds Left and suggests to play the recorded tape on line. And Left hopes this will make the maniac's get out of their hiding-place. As all this is being prepared to start we get known to Drayton (Jim Siedow). He wins the cookie contest, but doesn't open the "secret" what "meat" really makes it so good. Left goes to get weapon, but not guns. He buys three chainsaws - a long one, and two compact. Stretch starts playing the tape. Soon the killers pay her a visit when she's alone in the studio. Then her life will be saved by Leatherface's suddenly occurred love to her. Later she'll appear in the underground purgatory where three sick bros and grandpa live. Lefty has already figured out the place and gets there. All you see after and saw before is really impressing... Now how all that looks. The acting is good and beautiful, nice photography, decoration and special make-up by Savinee. The score co-written by Hooper gives more good atmosphere. The script is very unordinary but shot believably to amazement if you're told the movie first and then just watch it. I loved this movie. Oh these seducing 80's! At least 12 years later maniac's live in a better house, look modern and have more to lay on table. Hard to believe this movie was considered bad in 86, and Hooper keeps amazing every time. Very interesting director! He rightly used all the sources. You'll even see him for not more than a second. Watch attentively and you want miss. Now, this part is really enjoyable, funny in some sense, colourful. All the three bad guys are good especially Chop Top and Leather face, and Drayton perhaps for his commercial success has become a really kind maniac. Bill Johnson (Bubba) really gives extra performance. In the end we won't know what really happened to the heroes for sure. Well, they could hardly survive. Wait, no. Chop Top survived in the first part and this slight falling is not much for him. He'll do good. As for me, I prefer to consider them alive but not to see in such a stupid project like "Leatherface:Texas massacre 3". The second was the last good leatherface effort. Leave the poor guy alone, he's done. 9 out of 10! Highly recommended! Impressing! Entertaining! Tobe, you're good.
Humongous (1982)
From Prom night's director
First time I saw Humongous when I was 12 and for that age that movie had a lot to do with my mentality. Really it not just scared but almost gave me some psychic disorder. The film begins with a party on an isle (don't really remember where it was). A girl is being raped after she gets into too private place as she is chased by one of the guests. Right after that dogs bite the guy to the death. Then we're introduced to a company of 6 youths. They go for a voyage. Night! They're passing by an isle (we all know that's the same isle from the beginning, at least it's not far already) after hearing some dog wailing (here we're prepared to get scared) they see a guy in the water. Take him on the board. Have some chat. I really don't remember what was the actually doing there. Unfortunately the boat runs on a reef. So they have to swim the not-so-close distance to the dead and dark island. Their just on the shore yet when one of the guys walks to see if there's life in that deep dark forest (somebody's watching them all the time). As this guy's a bit degenerated from the beginning, no one even his own brother don't even try to stop him and could they know what's out there
waiting) (Like Prom night the lighting is not so good but that's the pleasure. It makes the atmosphere not just scary but terrifying. Sometimes you hardly realize at least something's moving beyond the screen and the screaming is enough to make nervous the most courageous audience). The stupid hero is lucky at first to run away from a bunch of wild dogs through the forest, but too unlucky to face "something" worse. As he gets into the deep, there's a ghost-like house where we first make sure there is life on this isle. Not that representing mankind, but there is. The rest of the movie is like an endless nightmare (in good meaning, if that's possible). Extra-good photography, fantastic just fantastic atmosphere! Very good acting! The freak's doing really good. Very scary! So good, you really believe this is what you can meet deep in woods. The freak has jeans stuff on. The music is sawing your nerves and I personally just have to remember a bit of what I saw and feel cold wind through me. These are words from the heart. Humongous is very good. Since then I didn't watch it again but was so stupid to erase that tape. I was simply scared, but now I'm ready to order the DVD. I haven't seen Lynch's other works but this one was enough to become living legend. Obviously he saw Joe D'Amato's slightly undone Anthropophagous what inspired him to make his second masterpiece. Unbelievable terrifying! Pretty good! Highly recommended! Horror masterpiece! Colourful! 8 out of 10.
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989)
Nothing scary
Nothing scary The title's well-done and well describes the movie. There's nothing to scare. Vampires are isolated under the leadership of graph Murdalac (David Carradine) in a little town called Purgatory. They no longer feed with human's blood, but use artificially made one by a factory which suddenly stops supplying the requirements what makes vampires call for a professional to fix the problem. They have no intention of refreshing their ration. They really treat well just arrived Jim Harrison and his family. Everything's O.K. till Shane (Maxwell Caulfield) is in. He had an affair with Jim's wife in the past. Obviously their second child (the one who always has nightmares about vampires) is not from Jim but Shane. And what she sees prognoses situation in Purgatory the rising war between peaceful and unpeaceful vampires. Directed by Anthony Hickox this one was much better than his other works (Waxworks, Waxworks 2). The plot's interesting, the acting is worthy. The only problem is the second half is a bit dragged, but before the end the problem's fixed. Not a bad movie, unfortunately not actual nowadays. It's too kind, you know, to gain impression. Even for it's time it had nothing in common with horror genre. It's pure comedy. 5 out of 10.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
O.K. remake
Actually I enjoy watching this movie again and again and frankly don't see the point of boycotting it comparing with the original 74. They have different genres. The original is more like black comedy, and this one is a violent thriller. Hooper's masterpiece will never be forgotten, and this one will be one of the best remake-efforts. They've changed the script of course. The year is the same 1973, but there's no invalid brother Franklyn and no Sally Hardesty. There's no Texas grave-robbery and the heroes move to Dallas to get to Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. Their problems began as a hitchhiker girl commits a suicide in their van right when they're just to drive into Texas and they vote to inform the police about what happened
I'm sorry, but I want to do some comparison with the original. The new script I found much more interesting. The 74's was scarier of course but the characters here are much more interesting. Only Jessica Biel's handsomeness is enough to watch this movie, but that's not the only the makers have our attention with. The film is really good. Leather face was nicely arranged. He's serious, physically strong, he knows what to do. On the other hand, he enjoys working with chainsaw. Andrew Briniarski was the smartest leather face, I like this combination.
So, after our heroes try to find the local sheriff, one of them is being killed, and another one's left with one leg later when they try to find their missing friend. The rest of the movie you'll watch with one breath. I'm not telling you more not to spoil the surprise in case you haven't seen it yet. I'll only say there's a lot of entertaining. Perhaps some of you will disagree with my point of view, but I hope they'll remake the second part, right this way, so that nobody would argue if the original second or the remade second part's better.
About this remake: I never mind remakes, and this one is excellent to lead by example. After "Texas chainsaw massacre 2", an excellent sequel with Dennis Hopper (directed by Hooper) this is the best leather face movie you'll see. Just don't connect this with loyalty to the original: Hooper himself said in his interview he really liked it.
Scream 2 (1997)
Sensitive Neve
With Scream Wes Craven proved once again he's one of the world leading horror directors, but Scream 2 is much better to me than the original. The atmosphere is more cheerful (I actually never considered it to be horror; my attention is more cuffed to Neve Campbell). I'm not going to encounter the good directress, nice script etc. I knew it will on the highest level long before watching (Like in Craven's all movies). I can't have any gripe at all. Perfect sequel! Much comes to Campbell, but thanks to this film I know such a brilliant actor like Timothy Olyphant and all the others closer to leading ones were either already my favourites or they became after Scream 2. Neve Campbell here
god, it's not even the half of enough to say she's good. She's something much-much and much better than just a pretty face and nice actress. She makes you crazy. As you watch you want to help her all the time. She's able so save the most condemned to failure project, but here as we also had Kevin Williamson involved, this project was condemned to become classic and make famous everyone connected with it. Wes Craven is obviously the only director that would never disappoint. I know that since first watched "The snake and serpent". He manages doing sensitive movies. See "Music of the heart" to make sure. Highly recommended! 10 out of 10. Very good!
Beyond Re-Animator (2003)
Medical horror
If Tobe Hooper's genre is the "toolbox horror", then Yuzna ("Dentist", "Society", "Bride of re-animator") has more been the representative of the "medical" one. And he's done a nice job this time either. Herbert West is accused and put in jail after a girl is being brutally killed by a zombie obviously brought back to life by him. Little Howard Philips witnesses all that horror, the girl killed was his sister. 13 years later Howard and Herbert meet again in prison Howard's become a promising doctor about to start running the prison clinic and West's still a prisoner haunted with the "art of re-animation". Howard didn't get here by a chance. He wants to work with West to create a "miracle". Lot of miracle they did
Together they arrange a secret laboratory here to prepare the required "medicine" for experiments. The plot rapidly changes when the rebellion begins. "Beyond Re-animator" is not only good as comedy/horror but also has nicely put action and satire. Nice mixture of genres really won't leave you indifferent. The first hour there's almost no violence, but the last 30 minutes of prison rebellion is something.
Despite of the most surrealistic plot, the acting really keeps you watching seriously. Especially I want to point out Jeffrey Combs ("Re-animator", "From beyond", "Castle freak"). It was nice to see "Re-animator" got older but didn't lose the colour. The best part is Howard (Jason Barry): God damn you! West (Combs): Religion has nothing to do about that.
Very nicely shot and rich in everything! The atmosphere seen here (I mean everything decorated with such a taste) is a rear thing in many much more expensive movies. The special make-up is A+ (blood, meat and violence enough to keep the tradition and not spoil the movie). Almost as good as the original!
Damned enjoyable!
3 ½ of 5
Highly recommended!
American Psycho (2000)
As realistic as it gets
American psycho is black comedy the "pulp fiction" of horror/thriller genre with Christian Bale's excellent performance.
As believable as it gets!
Bale's character Patrick Bateman's does nothing but renting horror movies, bringing prostitutes into his house, having sex and taping it, figuring out what kind of visit card to have, doing presses each morning, doing face masks, taking care of his body's handsomeness. One day he meets Paul Allen. This guy somehow pisses Patrick off. Patrick invites him to see his place and axes. For the fans of the original "Texas chainsaw massacre 74", there's a pleasant surprise it's one of Patrick's favorites here There's an episode Patrick's doing exercises watching it. Later he'll "use" the chainsaw himself. Perhaps some of you will find "American psycho" lame, but it's really deep. The point is one day Patrick realizes that he's nobody in this life and when he sees a homeless man with a dog, he is mostly afraid of the same thing will happen to him. And he commits his first murder. I just hated that part. Despite of that scene, the rest of movie has a really slight violence. I say the general part makes black comedy. The scene where Patrick completely naked holding a chainsaw pursues his favorite hooker after she sees the dead bodies is funny. This film can be understood many ways, but the main moral I think is one don't have to be look like a degenerate, walk with a saw, kitchen knife or an ax under the coat, wear a mask or somebody's skinned face (like Leatherface) to be a maniac killer. The only problem is the seduction of this film. Don't get me wrong, but it has some. Really!
An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)
Julie's amazing
I never saw Julie Delpy before in a movie. What an angel! I'm sorry, I'll start to comment. And we'll start with that this is not a parody at all, it's just a humoristic horror mystery. The acting is excellent, sound is good (perhaps a bit wilder than should be, but O.K.), the sound is worthy. But despite of all this, some of you will really watch not indifferently. I mean it's all because here we have a bit of love, true and pure love. I mean Tom Everett Scott and Delpy's affair. Wow, it wasn't redeemable, but I loved that angel face. Perhaps you'd rather kill myself than such a cute werewolf to save my soul. Let her bit me as much as she wants. In the morning we'll make love anyway. Nice, really nice work, guys, I love you all. Casting is outstanding, they really chose a girl everybody would fall in love with. And the Paris atmosphere is one more plus. Don't want to offend Mr. John Landis, but I found the sequel much more entertaining than the original. Watching this movie was a damned good time spent. I want to point once again Julie Delpy's excellent play. And right now, I'll get into IMDb search to see if there're other movies with her available. The film has a slight violence, it's absolutely not scary, but enjoyable enough. Enough fun, good dialogues, nice plot, very nice photography... hey guys, I'll start talking about Julie again, just see this movie. I think everybody will be pleased.
The Punisher (2004)
A justice and good story
I frankly couldn't remember where else I had read Jonathan Hensleigh's name, then check out his filmography. "Punisher" is his first and the only movie by now. It's a revenge story. Frank Castle is an undercover op. After his family's being murdered by Howard Saint's men, he starts crushing all and everything. Based on a comics, this film really has something to admire. It makes either feel sorry or laugh.
I'll never feel sorry I bought this movie. I remember Thomas Jane from "Thursday". He's a real punisher. He's one my most favorite actors. The whole movie is good, but some parts worth watching over and over again. One of these is the granate-golf with Russian killer. Really witty and amazing part!
Punisher also includes some drama. And what comes to Travolta â' his role is not much, but he plays excellent. The only thing is he's not the same Travolta we saw in Face off and Broken arrow. You'll understand what I mean after you watch. And I no way mean he acts badly. No, he's perfect. Last two years his acting is one of those I enjoy watching and even trying to imitate. And Thomas Jane's courage character is something everybody would try to look like. Yes, it's another Hollywood movie, that I think won't be forgotten.
Telling you more about the plot is making no sense. I really want you to enjoy it. The script adaptation worths good mark. I'll be expecting a lot of good from Hensleigh's next movie. So, if you wonder what heroes must be look like nowadays, check this out. I highly recommend Punisher. It's a fantastic movie.
Toolbox Murders (2004)
I'm so glad for you, Tobe
When I bought this movie, I was so impatient to get home and watch it. And... I got more than I expected. I watched it, then I went out to fix some business. When I came back, I watched it again. The next day either I couldn't help myself. I watched it again. I'm not a sadist or a psycho. Besides, the movie is not psychologically hard to watch, it's not so violent. I'm just glad for Hooper.
-Tobe, you are the genius. I knew it.
Perhaps I couldn't judge objectively because of being Hooper's fan. I was really waiting for him to do something like this, something that would be a real success after a decade of silence and failures. In 1995 after "The Mangler" perhaps for himself too it became clear he couldn't go on like that any more. So he went into TV, not just to get some more skill, but take a breath and figure out a new style. No matter what everybody would say about "Crocodile", the acting was good. Hooper had done his job. Just after that he decided to work further with writers Adam Gierasch and Jace Anderson. The result was "Toolbox murders". I frankly haven't seen the 70's "Toolbox ...", but mostly read the last one is considered much better.
The stuff is â' Neil and Steven Burrows move into Lusman arms, a cheep place to live. Unfortunately, it's a damned place â' from time to time a maniac killer in a black mask manages to get into the Lusman's inhabitants' flats and murder each time by one. As the plot lasts 3 or four days and the poor victims' bodies just disappear after the sadist nails or drills them, there's no one to worry for sure their dead, except a few police calls by Nell that don't do any good, but Nell feels she's simply going crazy and the weird noises and walls-beyond screaming are just in her head. The film is very interesting to watch â' we have a lot of nicely built and directed characters, a good production design, witty and original script, nice colors and classic edition. This movie really reminds some good favorite American classic horrors. You know Hooper has an amazing talent of making almost introducing actors play really good. That's what I thought after "Croc". Here I say the same. In particular Angela Bettis worths A+. By now it's her best appearance for me. I hope they'll go on working with Tobe together. I frankly get so sad when I remember there won't be any "Brew" which Hooper was to direct. That would be nice to purchase.
Like Hooper's all works â' despite of the plot which seems so familiar, the film is shot so that it's impossible see something here you've already seen somewhere else. "Toolbox murders" - this could be the name of Hooper's genre. In horror genre he has his own. I mean he usually focuses on toolbox murders. That's the sort of thing.
-Thank you, Tobe, that was great.
Dagon (2001)
Good but not for Gordon
This is a really interesting watchable film for the first time, but only for the first time. "Dagon" is not really American movie, and produced by Julio Fernandez it has something ... "Spanish". But it's a good movie. Like the very first "Texas chainsaw massacre 74", it almost doesn't have any score. Not all of you will like this flick, because it has neither horror nor anything alerting. It's enjoyable for some, and absolutely boring for others. Unlike Gordon's other movies the characters are not interesting. Gordon tried to do his best, but he couldn't do more. Simply wasn't allowed. I actually don't consider "Dagon" his film because it has nothing good to do with his filmography. I can't say I'm Gordon's biggest fan, but I really respect his art, I think he is one of the most talented movie makers in the world. And there's no need even to compare this movie with the others shot by Gordon. It has nothing from Gordon. "Fortress" was much more enjoyable, and "Castle freak"(which I consider one the best horror genre offers) was a masterpiece because it was left to Gordon's imagination. Dennis Paoli ("Dentist" and "Re-animator" co-author) wrote a nice script, but I think Gordon/Yuzna/Paoli friendship shouldn't have Julio involved into this project. The film is shot in a really wrong place and the most of budget has gone into the scene of Francisco Rabal's murdering which is absolutely unnecessary to be that way. That's the only gory part. The rest of the movie there's almost no blood. I mean after an hour of expecting Gordon's going to fade in some gore and facing at once such a strong one can really make you feel sick. It's a disgusting scene. One of the real problems is the characters are really not many and existing ones are boring. The casting is not "symmetric" if you catch my point.
The plot is just brilliant, the script is nice. People in a Spanish fisher-village are being turned into underwater living creatures. As four have to witness that strange mutation linked with some religious stuff, some of the strange inhabitants (still able to walk like men) will do anything not to let them get away. They mostly prefer to skin strangers alive and "wear" their faces. And you, pals, will have to witness just one of that brutal acts. You don't need more. The funniest thing is I caught "Darkness" on TV last week produced by Fernandez and Yuzna and presented by Filmax, it was really good. Never mind! Dagon was a some kind of experiment friends did inviting a new man into their collective. It was neither failure nor a big success. Let's hope they'll amaze us next time like Gordon did with his "King of the ants". Now, that was his movie. I liked it. Cheers!
King of the Ants (2003)
New Gordon
Almost Gordon's best movie I frankly didn't much enjoy "Dagon". It was so empty, but this one... O.K. Here we go. Really deep, philosophical and smart movie. It includes 2 genres â' thriller and one quite new which I can't name, but if somebody says it's bad, it just means they don't get it. I actually always thought Gordon had 2 good ones â' "Fortress" and "Caste freak". I know you won't agree because "Re-animator" is a "great movie" and so on... but did you ever think about what's the logic in "Re-animator", and is there any at all. Let's go back to this "flick-called" King. I say so, because all that stuff "rated for strong gory violence" can't just be, there's not anything inside to rate for, at least nothing that can be called gory. It's not much violent than any other good thriller. In one word you won't be able to go away from the screen even for a second while you're watching. The only problem is that some scenes (I mean Sean's two night terrors after he's tortured) are disgusting for the idea that some people can think of something like that. But not enough disgusting to spoil the film. I'm telling you, this is quite a new movie. Now I'm really Gordon's fan after "King of ants". It's much better for me than "Dagon". It includes a lot of good and interesting. The script is almost perfect. It's about a transfer of an ordinary man to a freak (freak in all meanings), and a freak becoming back an ordinary man. I guess you've gotta be a really strong man to live out this, a man. I mention again â' it's a cult. The other plus is the directress is both unordinary and same time the film is really natural. It's not a horror and not a fictiously made dead by now "exploit" genre representative. Gordon goes higher and higher, keeps his old best and adds some new. Of course if Gordon's name for you associates with "rain-blood" then you won't much like this "The king..." because as I said again, there's almost no gore here. Special effects are beautiful but moderate, very-very rear and absolutely not disgusting. I actually remember only one disgusting scene in all Gordon's movies. It was the scene in "Dagon" where Francisco Rabal is being killed the most terrifying you can imagine â' gets his face skinned...
The plot is: Sean is hired to pursue at first and murder later a man involved with a corruption case. Sean does his "job" but is refused to be paid. After he tries to get his "earned" money he's being freakened by four "bad guys". Then he manages to get out, but he's sick mentally and ugly physically. Luckily for him the wife of the man he murdered, Susan, picks him up to the hospital. Then he's cured. And what do you think will happen after Susan finds who the stranger she felt in love with and let him move into her house is in real? This film has a bit of black comedy too. The proportions are right. In one word â' this is not a waste of time. More, you'll really enjoy it. Believe me. I rented it yesterday with Tobe Hooper's "Toolbox murders". I think I'll buy both later. Really enjoyable.