Takashi Miike's Lesson of the Evil trailer

This is the first teaser trailer for Takashi Miike's upcoming thriller Lesson of the Evil. Can't wait to check this one out. But it will probably be at least a year or so before this gets a US release date.  

The Wicker Tree

One weird mess of a movie. A born again Christian couple travel to Scotland to spread their gospel door to door. At first they are shunned by people in the city. But they are soon greeted with kindness and invited by Sir Lachlan Morrison to the village of Tressock. Thinking the people want to here more about Jesus the couple travels along. Only to find out their naive innocence gets them in trouble.

The original The Wicker Man is a huge favorite of mine. When I heard the original director Robin Hardy was writing and directing this I was curious to check it out. I wasn't expecting much at all with this hearing a lot of bad reviews. Also The Wicker Man is an amazing movie which is not an easy movie to live up too. So I can't really say I was disappointed with this movie. What I got to see here was a really weird mess of a movie. It's the same basic story of the Wicker Man told a little differently this time around. It has alot of dark humor poking fun at religion mixed with elements of horror and alot of weirdness. Some of  the camera shots are really cool, strange and interesting. There are also some really strange creepy scenes through out the movie mostly towards the end. But over all it's just a mess where nothing really works as a whole to well. I really can't say it was horrible and I hated it or anything. But it's also nothing great or even close. It's definitely worth seeing once just for it's weirdness but don't expect to much here you will be very disappointed.
4/10

The Darkest Hour

Almost a great post apocalyptic alien invasion movie. Two software designers Sean and Ben from America travel to Russia to sell their new invention. When they arrive they find out the company who wanted to buy their software turned around and stole their idea.They decide then to visit a Russian nightclub. There they meet two girls Natalie and Anne. The nightclub loses power and the people flock to the streets to see what's happening. Out side they are encountered by strange lights that turn out to be an alien invasion. The four of them then go into hiding and must team together to try and survive the alien attack.

 When I first saw the trailer for this one I wanted to see it. I missed seeing in the theater and after watching it I'm kind of glad I did. The movie starts out great and really kept my attention but then really just fizzles out as it goes. The story has been done before but it has some original twists to the aliens. The special effects are really well done in this. It's mostly CG effects but a lot of it is so good you can't really tell it's CG. Having the aliens be invisible also really added to the tension in the movie. I also enjoyed the special effects used when the aliens fried people into ashes. The ashes gave a extra eerie feel to some of the great looking post apocalyptic scenes. I really was enjoying this till about the last 30 minutes of the movie. I'm not sure if it was just bad writing or if they killed off too many characters to early. It has a lot of action and tension up until the last 20 minutes or so then it just fizzles out. The slow weak ending turns this from possibly being a really great post apocalyptic alien invasion movie into a half decent movie worth a watch.
5/10

Scream Blacula Scream

Voodoo vampire cheesy fun. William Marshall returns as Prince Mamuwalde in the sequel to Blacula. A dieing Voodoo Priestess chooses a apprentice as her successor on her death bed. This angers the Priestess's true heir. Seeking revenge he buys a bag of bones said to hold great powers. Using a Voodoo curse on the bones he unwittingly raises Blacula back to life. Blacula then turns him into his vampire slave to wreak havoc on the world again.

Scream Blacula Scream is one of those few sequels that out does the original. It takes itself a bit more seriously but still has a small dose of humor. The story is interesting and darker then it's predecessor. The cast is great and I love the addition of one of my favorite actresses Pam Grier. She always give a good performance no matter what movie she is in. It also has the fun cheesy special effects found in most 60's and 70's horror movies. Some of the make-up is done better in some scenes then in others. I also really liked the soundtrack to this one. It's an interesting mix of a eerie horror score and some great 70's funk and soul music. Over all Scream Blacula Scream is a fun ride with a few good scares along the way. This movie is definitely worth a watch to any fan of classic horror movies.
6/10

Boy Wonder

This is a brilliant Indy psychological thriller. One of those movies that you can't say to much about with out ruining anything. So I'm going to keep this short. As a kid Sean witnesses his mother brutally murdered right in front of him. He grows up obsessed with finding out who his mother's killer is.

There is really something wrong with the entertainment industry when a movie like this doesn't get a wide theater release. I wasn't sure what to expect with title and was more then surprised. This was just great all around. The story is gripping it pulled me in from the beginning and just wouldn't let go. It keeps you thinking through out the movie just wondering and itching to find out what is going to happen next.The cast was excellent some great acting from every one in this. Caleb Steinmeyer's role as Sean was just flawless and powerful. The fight scenes were also well done and very believable. I really can't say enough to give this movie the justice it deserves. This is a must see for anyone who enjoys good movies! 
10/10

Sherlock Holmes A Game Of Shadows

A bloody good time! This is a rare case where the sequel out does the  original. Sherlock Holmes is use to being the smartest being able to easily out wit his adversaries. But this time he might have found his match with the evil genius of Professor James Moriarty. Holmes and Watson must once again team up to stop the criminal master mind's plan by trying to rewrite history.

This was a clever mix of action and comedy that results into a really fun ride. Lots of laughs while I was on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. Just like the first Sherlock Holmes movie this has a great dark over all feel to it. Which nicely balances the use of comedy in the movie. The fight scenes are really well choreographed and really fun to watch. I also enjoyed the great use of slow motion special effects in this. I really thought it added to the movie. The cast in this was excellent! Robert Downey Jr. is really amazing as Sherlock Holmes it is easily my favorite role he has ever done. Once again I was totally impressed by Noomi Rapace as an actress. She was a great addition to the cast and after only seeing her in two movies I'm looking forward to seeing much more of her in the future. This is just a really well done movie over all. I highly recommend checking this out!
9/10

John Carter

Another theatrical bomb that turns out to be a better movie then most the blockbuster hits. Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs book A Prince of Mars Disney's John Carter is a fun ride. In 1868 a Civil War veteran John Carter is asked to rejoin the army. When he refuses to do so he finds him self imprisoned. Breaking out of jail Carter is chased by the army and then Native Americans. Finding refuge in a cave he runs into a strange man who attacks him. Killing his attacker he finds a medallion. Grabbing the medallion Carter is transported to a strange new world only to find himself in the middle of a war with it's strange inhabitants.
 
This was a really fun Sci-fi movie to watch. It has a really cool story and some amazing special effects. I also loved the great cast in this and it has some really good acting. It was cool seeing a ton of people I enjoyed from other movies and TV shows. I only wish they would have given Brian Cranston(Breaking Bad) a larger role in this. This movie was well worth checking out and a fun ride from beginning to end. It's a shame this bombed in it's theatre run I would love to see a sequel to this one. I definitely recommend checking this movie out!
8/10

God Bless America

Way more then I ever expected from this movie! Frank is fed up with the stupidity of American culture. Fired from his job and diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor he just doesn't care anymore. Joined by an unlikely accomplice who shares his views. They go on a killing spree taking out reality T.V. stars and any one they find repugnant in society today.
  This is a hilarious dark comedy with a point. It had me laughing and really thinking about life in general. It speaks to you the viewer and you can relate to every thing that happens in this movie with our society today. This has a really great story, cast, and acting. Joel Murray gives an amazing and powerful performance as Frank. Tara Lynne Barr is also amazing in her role as Roxy. I am truly impressed with Bobcat Goldthwait as a writer and director and look forward to seeing more movies from him soon.This is a definite must see movie!
10/10

Underworld Awakening

The worst Underworld movie yet. Same basic story as all the other Underworld movies Vampires vs. Lycan. Except this one is set in the future where the humans know both exist and are experimenting on them. From the beginning scene where Selene breaks out of her frozen chamber in the future I could just tell this was going to be bad.Why would you try and contain a dangerous Vampire in something entirely made out of glass? Why would Selene even bother to try and hack the lock for the door when she can just burst through the floor to get out in the first place. This movie was so badly written it's laughable. It just keeps getting worse as the movie goes on. The CGI is so over used nothing in this movie looks real.They should just save money hiring actors and animate the whole thing. It would probably look better over all. The effects are also so bad it looks like a slightly better version of something you would see on the Syfy channel. I struggled to finish watching this if it was any longer then the 89 minute run time I don't think I would have made it. The only redeeming thing in this is Kate Beckinsale looking hot in her skin tight leather suit and even that's getting old. I wouldn't recommend watching this unless you are a die hard Underworld fan and even then I'm not so sure.
3/10  

Prometheus

I grew up on the Alien movies and they are a huge favorite of mine. With that being said I went into this a little worried about what I was going to see. But I couldn't have asked for anything more. The story in this is complex so I'm going to keep explaining it short. I don't want to ruin any thing for those who haven't seen it. A group of scientists discover a cave painting with a constellation in it. The same constellation appeared on different paintings from different civilizations through out history. None of the civilizations were ever in contact with each other. The scientists believe the constellation is a invitation or a map to the origin of human life. It's found that the constellation actually lines up to a group of planets which the people who painted them would have no way of actually seeing it with the technology available at those times. A few years after the discovery a group of scientists are put together on space ship Prometheus to travel through space to investigate the theory and search for the origin human race. They then discover one of these planets could actually support life and might just find more then they bargain for.

 I was blown away by what I saw. The story was great and very complex. The movie kept me thinking from beginning to end. The cast was just awesome and the acting was great. Especially Noomi Rapace I've never seen her in anything before and she really got my attention in this with a great performance. The visuals and special effects in this were so amazing a good mix of practical effects and CGI. As a fan of the original Alien I loved this. Even if you aren't a fan of the original this is a great sci-fi movie on it's own. I highly recommend seeing this one in the theater! It's one of those movies if you don't see it on the big screen you will regret it later.
10/10

Django Unchained

The new teaser trailer for Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained can't wait to see this one Xmas can't come fast enough this year!

Piranha 3DD

One hell of a bloody good time! Prehistoric piranha come back to terrorize a small town again. Except this time they get into the public water system. Just like Piranha 3D don't go into this looking for a serious movie. It's meant to be goofy fun and that's just what it is. I laughed hysterically through out this movie. The cast was freaking great in this. I never thought I'd ever say this but I actually liked David Hasselhoff in something. He was so damn funny and kind of stole the show here. This had tons of blood and boobs and some really cool kill scenes so what's not to like here. Definitely check this movie out it's a damn good time!
7/10

Excision trailer

 Weird looking trailer definitely got me interested in checking this movie out!

The Return of Doctor X

This is the suppose to be sequel to Doctor X starring Humphrey Bogart in his first and only role in a horror film. It really has nothing to do with the first Doctor X. So if you are planning on viewing these it really doesn't matter what order you watch them. A newspaper reporter Walter Barnett lands a interview with actress Angela Merrova. He arrives to the interview only to find her dead . After reporting the incident to the paper the actress then arrives the next day threatening to sue the paper.Barnett then looses his job over the matter. Determined to find out more about the strange happenings he teams up with a doctor and  decides to investigate. Only to find a connection between the actress and a strange doctor, and a group of murders in which the victims are drained of all there blood.

 I went into this movie not knowing to much about it which is why I'm trying not to give to much away about the plot. I think it helped me to enjoy it more. I loved the original story in this and the acting was just great. I heard Bogart never personally liked his role in this movie. But I thought he was very effective and creepy in his role in this. It made me wish he did more horror films in his time. I enjoyed this a little more then the first Doctor X but both of them were very enjoyable. I definitely recommend checking this out.
7/10

The Howling Reborn

I usually try and avoid remakes and reboots like the plague. They mostly turn out bad and this was no different. The movie started out interesting and kept my attention for awhile. But as soon as the horrible looking werewolves entered the movie it all went down hill real fast. It's amazing that ever since the original The Howling instead of looking better the look of werewolves done in movies has gotten worse. I could go on bitching about this movie for ever but I'll stop . Do your self a favor if you want to see a good werewolf movie go get the original the Howling or An American Werewolf in London instead of watching garbage like this.
2/10

Hara-Kiri Death of a Samurai

13 Assassins was easily the best movie I saw last year. I can't wait to check out Takashi Miike's Hara-Kiri Death of a Samurai.Hopefully there will be a U.S. release date for the DVD or Blu-Ray soon

Doctor X

A decent little horror thriller from 1932 starring a pre King Kong Fay Wray and Lionel Atwill. A newspaper reporter investigates the Moon Killer who strangles and cannibalises his victims by the light of the moon. His investigation leads him to the mansion of Doctor Xavier and more then he bargains for.This was shot in two strip Technicolor which gives the film a eerie look and feel. The story and sets in this were great.I also thought the make-up for the killer looked really good for it's time. But the quirky humor from the time didn't hold up so well. I'm use to viewing black and white films from this time so the two strip technicolor made this interesting to watch. It's definitely worth checking out for the fact it's the first color horror movie or just to see the first great scream queen in her first horror film role.
6/10

Torture Chamber trailer

The new trailer for Dante Tomaselli's Torture Chamber. I've enjoyed all of his past films and I'm really looking forward to checking this out.

Troll Hunter

Norwegian trolls on a rampage. Troll hunter is a horror film from Norway. It's filmed as a mocumentary like Cloverfield and The Blair Witch project. The story starts out with three students investigating strange bear killings in Norway. On a tip they start following a poacher to try and find out what's going on. When confronting the poacher Hans they learn he is actually a troll hunter and Han's allows them to film his work.

The movie had a really cool and original story to it. I liked how it explained things in detail. Like the different kind of trolls and their habits. Also how the trolls smell christian blood, masking the human smell with troll stench, their habits,and how to kill them. The special effects were so well done the trolls looked excellent. The scenery of the Norway landscape it was filmed in was incredible too. The down side is it was suppose to be a horror comedy. I think a lot of the jokes are lost in translation or you have to be from Norway. I didn't really laugh at anything. It also seemed kind of slow to me too.I have never been big fan of the shaky cam thing either. A lot of the other reviews I read really hyped the movie up. It was a good original film worth checking out but it could have been better.

6/10

Stake Land

It's always nice to see a vampire movie with balls. Instead of the preppy glitter vampire love story trend going on. Stake Land directed by Jim Mickle is post apocalyptic vampire film. The vampires in this are more like animals they just need to feed. It also has Danielle Harris (Halloween 4&5) in it and I'll watch anything she's in.

The movie starts out with Martin's family suddenly being attacked by vampires. Martin is then saved by a man who tells him to come with him or die. It then flashes forward to Martin's post apocalyptic journey through a world over run by vampires. Encountering different survivors and strange religious cults along the way. That believe that the vampires were sent by god to get rid of the nonbelievers.

This really shows how good a low budget horror movie can be. It was easily better then any of the big budget horror films I've seen this year. It pulls you in and has your attention from the beginning. The main concept isn't that original. But the story's take on it was. I loved how it showed how crazy some people become when faced with a major traumatic experience. Sacrificing survivors to the vampires in the name of god. The cast is really great with Connor Paolo, Danielle Harris, Kelly McGillis, and Michael Cerveris to name a few. The acting from everyone was so damn good!. Really great special effects and camera work in it too. Really the only thing I can find to complain about is it could have picked a better name for the title.

8/10

Rubber

Psychokinetic tires and exploding bunny rabbits are fun for the whole family! I never thought I would watch a movie about a tire, that's not a typo a rubber tire with head exploding psychokinetic powers. Rubber is a horror comedy directed by Quentin Dupieux.

The movie is about Robert a rubber tire. Robert discovers it has psychokinetic powers and goes on a murderous rampage. Why does it go on a murderous rampage? No reason. The movie is a homage to why things happen in movies randomly. It tells you that in the beginning. It also has a second story going on that's kind of hidden by the tire story. But I think the less I say about the film here the better.

After watching the trailer I was expecting more of a cheesy fun movie. It's more of a strange dark comedy. I did get a few good laughs out of it though. The special effects were actually really good for a movie about a killer tire. Some of the exploding things in the movie looked pretty good. Rubber is probably going to be one of those hit or miss movies with people. I will give the film bonus points for being original really can't say I've seen anything like it. I thought it could have been a little better and more fun but after all it is a movie about a killer tire.

5/10

I Saw The Devil

If you're offended by extreme violence and have a weak stomach this one is definitely not for you! Directed by Kim Jee-woon I Saw The Devil was one of the most brutal, dark revenge films I have watched. The two lead actors Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik from Oldboy took the movie to a whole other level. Both of there performances in this movie were down right amazing.

The movie starts out with Kim Soo-hyean's (Lee Byung-hun) fiancee stranded in her car in a snow storm. While she's waiting for a tow truck a stranger stops and offers her help. This turns out to be Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik) who is actually a serial killer. He then brutally beats her in the head with a hammer, abducts and kills her. When Kim Soo-hyean finds out about his wife's murder this makes him loose his mind and do anything it takes to exact revenge on his wife's murderer.

When I first starting watching this it seemed like it was going to be another average revenge film. While it is still a revenge film the story is very well executed and it keeps you thinking. The movie it self is very dark, bleak, violent, and gory and it doesn't let up. The gore effects and cinematography in the film were well done too. I really enjoyed the hell out of this movie. It's very well done and it left me thinking and a little shocked for awhile after it was over. It's a little long clocking in at almost two and a half hours but for me there were no dull moments. If you enjoy happy movies were everything works out peachy in the end then this is not the movie for you. But if you are into dark movies that take your mind places it usually doesn't go then I highly recommend checking this out.
9/10

Night Monster

I love finding those classic gems that I 've never seen before and this is definitely one of those. This is a fun little whodunit horror film from 1942 with Bela Lugosi and Lionel Atwell. Kurt Ingston a rich cripple invites the doctors who left him this way to his mansion. He tells the doctors there is no hard feelings towards them for his condition but they soon start being killed off one by one.With a mansion full of suspicious suspects no one can seem to figure out who the killer is. This movie has a great creepy atmosphere with the use of fog instead of the usual thunderstorms in classic horror films. The silence of the crickets and frogs before the kills that happen out doors was also effective. It keeps you thinking through out the 73 minutes of the film and the acting from all of the cast was great. This is definitely a must see for any fan of classic horror and mystery films.
8/10