Archive for Slashers & Serial Killers
Saw 4
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 5
Description:
This Saw finds Jeff Reinhart (Angus Macfadyen) searching for his missing daughter, but a videotape from the dead serial killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) is Jeff’s only lead in his frantic hunt. Picking up where its grisly predecessor left off, the film switches back and forth in time throughout previous Saw films and ties up some lingering — and bloody — loose ends. Darren Lynn Bousman, who helmed the film’s second and third chapters, directs.
Rated R, 1 hr. 32 min., 2007
Our Opinion:
There are many Saw fans that pick which one is their favorite. I am not sure which is mine, but I thought this one was better than 2 & 3. The traps were good and the over-all production quality was better than the previous. It appears that the producers and directors are perfecting their franchise. I look forward to the new ones coming up.
Incident On and Off a Mountain Road
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
Writer-director Don Coscarelli, of Phantasm and Beastmaster fame, adapted this entry in the Showtime series from a short story by cult horror writer Joe R. Landsdale. Ellen (Bree Turner) is chased through the night woods by the maniacal Moonface (John De Santis). Ellen defends herself by rigging a series of booby traps she learned from her cruel survivalist husband (Ethan Embry). But her tricks may not be enough to stave off the creepy predator.
Rated R, 51 min., 2005
Our Opinion:
This is a short horror film and I usually do not include made-for-showtime flicks, but I thought this one was interesting enough to bring to your attention. I gave it a 3 out of 5 rating but it may for some be closer to 2. I had issue with Ellen’s character being able to build booby traps while being chased. Now the monster called moon face I thought was unique. They could have re-done this movie and concentrated more on moon face.
End of the Line
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
The captives fight back, but can their feeble resistance stand up to the demonic powers that are hunting them down? When her subway train grinds to a halt during her evening commute, psychiatric nurse Karen (Ilona Elkin) and the other passengers become the trapped targets of an apocalyptic religious cult bent on sacrificing them all in the name of their strange god. Maurice Devereaux directs this gruesome horror flick. Nicolas Wright co-stars.
Rated R, 1 hr. 35 min., 2007
Our Opinion:
I would almost give this one 4 stars because it felt original, but my rule is that in order to get a 4 star rating I would want to see it again. I do recommend it though. They combine crazy religious zealots with a zombie type of group killing spree all in the name of the apocalypse. There are some subtle details in the story line that I found intriguing.
My Bloody Valentine
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
Tom (Jensen Ackles) returns to his hometown to find some closure. But no sooner does he arrive when a pickax-wielding madman begins a new bloody killing spree. Haunted by the mining-related massacre that took place there on Valentine’s Day a decade ago, many suspect that the murderous miner has returned to claim his final victims — including Tom. Patrick Lussier directs this remake of the 1981 horror classic.
Rated R, 1 hr. 41 min., 2009
Our Opinion:
This is a remake from the 1981 version only this time in 3D. It is obvious when you watch the DVD that they try to make things come out at you to push the 3D effect. The special effects were pretty good and overall this isn’t a bad movie. It is just a tired slasher plot. Nothing new here and not really terrifying according to our taste.
Monster Man
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 4
Description:
Two buddies, played by Adam (Eric Jungmann) and Harley (Justin Urich), set out on a road trip only to find themselves in a heap of trouble when obnoxious Harley makes the wrong people mad at a seedy biker bar. The two are forced to run for their lives when one man gets behind the wheel of his truck and tries to plow the pair down. Will they be able to escape this monster truck with its monstrous driver, or will they become road-kill?
Rated R, 1 hr. 35 min., 2003
Our Opinion:
This low budget film is very entertaining. The dialog and antics between Adam and Harley are very funny. Why not have a scary monster truck with a hideous driver chase you all over the desert? They had a lot of fun making this movie and you won’t mind seeing it a second or third time. This one gets cult status and would be a great addition to any movie night with friends. See the trailer…
Trick’r Treat
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
Several stories weave together, such as a loner fending off a demented trick-or-treater’s attacks, kids uncovering a freaky secret, a school principal — who moonlights as a serial killer — poisoning his candy, and more. The usually boisterous traditions of Halloween turn baleful, and everyone in a small town tries to survive one night in pure hell in writer-director Michael Dougherty’s fright fest. Dylan Baker, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox star.
Rated R, 1 hr. 22 min., 2008
Our Opinion:
This one comes from Warner Brothers and the production quality is good except for some dark scenes where it was hard to see what was going on. This is a strange film and when you see it you will know what I mean. If you don’t read the description for the movie where it talks about that there are several intertwined stories, you will become confused. It is interesting and entertaining, however, there isn’t a plot so there is nothing to think about. For that it is good for only one viewing.
I Spit on Your Grave
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
Director Meir Zarchi’s revenge movie has the dubious honor of containing one of the longest and most violent gang-rape scenes on film. When writer Jenny Hill (Camille Keaton) rents a remote cabin, she’s surprised to find that the local townsfolk are friendly — too friendly, in fact. What follows is decidedly unpleasant: After being brutalized, violated and left for dead, Jenny goes on her own spree of killing, mutilation and castration.
Rated R, 1 hr. 40 min., 1978
Our Opinion:
This is a golden oldie but still very shocking even for today’s audience. It is typical of 70’s type films with long scenes and campy dialog. The audio was pretty bad even though the version I watched was remastered in digital dolby. Perhaps they had to. This is a graphic film which had a hard time keeping an R rating when it was released. The mainstream movie critics didn’t like it. Horror fans loved it because it goes to the edge and maybe beyond. That is why it deserves cult status. I had to see it because I was curious what other horror fans were talking about.
Insanitarium
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
Determined to rescue his sister from a mental hospital, Jack Romero (Jesse Metcalfe) masquerades as a madman to gain entry to the asylum, where he finds a deranged sawbones (Peter Stormare) using patients as guinea pigs in bizarre experiments. To keep his involuntarily committed sibling — and himself — from becoming cannibalistic psychos like the doctor’s other victims, Jack will need all his ingenuity in this direct-to-video splatterfest.
Rated R, 1 hr. 29 min., 2008
Our Opinion:
Not bad. The only way that you could tell the “just insane” from the “rabid insane” was by the color of their eyes. I thought that was a nice touch. Very bloody. I am OK with bloody but they do over do it a bit. There was a point in the film where things were coming together with weird music and running through blue hospital hallways with blood every where. Would have made a more accurate portrayal of the movie as cover art.
Eden Lake
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 4
Description:
Jenn (Kelly Reilly) and Steve (Michael Fassbender) are in love and about to get engaged during a calm lake getaway – but they’ll first have to survive a pillaging and muderous gang of kids, led by the psychotic Brett (Jack 0′Connell), who suddenly arrives on their front lawn. When Steve tries to quell the violence, matters turn from scary to gruesomely deadly. James Gandhi, Bronson Webb, Thomas Gill and Thomas Turgoose co-star.
Rated R, 1 hr. 31 min. 2008
Our Opinion
This one turned out much better than expected. The characters were well developed and believable. The story writing is fresh and original. Very well produced. I would not mind seeing this one again.
The Last House on the Left
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 4
Description:
While vacationing at their summer home, Emma and John Collingwood (Monica Potter and Tony Goldwyn) show kindness to a group of strangers, unaware that the same men just assaulted their daughter (Sara Paxton). Once they learn the truth, they set out on a no-holds-bared plan for revenge that can only end in bloodshed. Dennis Iliadis directs this updated remake of Wes Craven’s 1972 horror classic by the same name.
Rated R, 1hrs. 50min., 2009
Our Opinion
The original from 1972 was one of Wes Craven’s first movies and for the time it was a shocker. I like that Wes tries to go as far on the edge as possible. What if you met up with ruthless individuals who had nothing to lose? This version is very well done and is a great tribute to the original. The characters are believable and the production is top notch. Great date movie!
