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The Greatest Decades For Horror
ATMOSPHERIC MOVIES
QUIET POWERHOUSES
Reviews
The Mark (1961)
An excellent film slightly marred by the passage of time.
I found this to be an excellent film. Although the potential for melodrama and emotional pandering was palpable I felt that the film's creators did an admirable job of minimizing those tropes. The characters were well defined and the actors were utterly convincing in their portrayals. If there is one qualm about the film on a whole I would say that the ending seemed to be too conveniently optimistic. Perhaps this is both a result of the age of the film itself and of the era that I am now viewing it in. Six decades is quite a long time and during that span many things have changed from a cultural and societal standpoint. Having the benefit of hindsight I suppose that the ending to such a terrifically realized picture is a very small qualm to consider. My score is 8 out of 10.
The Ice Pirates (1984)
Campy Fun without CGI
This movie is a blast. In many ways it achieves the exact same thing that Guardians Of The Galaxy does on a fraction of the budget!!! Silly in the best way possible yet sincerely acted by all parties involved. Although too raunchy for the kids it works just fine with grown ups. It borrows knowingly from all the best concepts of other bigger, better movies in eye wink fashion while still forging an identity of it's own. There's a bevy of stars on display here too. From Anjelica Huston to Robert Urich to Ron Perlman to John Carradine to name just a few. It's a pretty good way to kill a couple of hours on a Saturday night. What about the plot? No need to rehash what others have already said. Just watch the movie. You'll enjoy it.
All the Devil's Men (2018)
Why is the original John Wick rated higher than this?
I heard so many great things about John Wick from friends and co-workers that I finally just blind bought it on blu-ray. Certain that I was in for a special treat I sat down expecting to be thoroughly engrossed only to find myself slightly annoyed with it's lackadaisical plot and lack of character development. Sure it's got some great action scenes but I soon became numb to the barrage of violence and wished for more story/plot. While it may not look as expensive All The Devil's Men is a better movie than John Wick. It has an actual plot. It's characters actually have a back story. It has very realistic action scenes with visceral violence. There are some lulls in the action and perhaps a couple twists too many but at least it kept me off balance during it's run-time. I felt betrayed by those who enthusiastically recommended John Wick but then I remembered that most casual movie goers don't understand what separates a watchable film from a good one and a good one from a great one. I haven't had the desire to watch any of the Wick sequels and could care less how much hype they get. I stumbled across "Devil's Men" and enjoyed it perhaps you will too if you give it a chance.
Trudno byt bogom (2013)
This is What Conan movies Should Look Like...
Hard To Be A God is magnificent to behold. The set design and period detail are beyond realistic. Unfortunately, the lack of a dramatic story arc renders this film as little more than a curiosity. This is the way that Conan the Barbarian should have been filmed. Stark black and white cinematography would give the images a grittiness that no other Cimmerian adventure has enjoyed. The original comics were done in B/W with colored cover art. This is the appropriate way for Conan to be represented. Much like Mad Max: Fury Road the black and chrome edition this would create a unique vision of a foreign landscape. If any director/studio had the guts to bring it to the big screen it would be a smashing success.
Iron Fist (2017)
Put on some damn shoes will you...?
This show is annoying. That's not to say it's terrible. The story arc of this first episode is similar to the Arrow in origin. However it takes way too long to move past trivial yet obvious developments.This is in part due to the fact that the main character is out of touch with the present. It's like taking the scenic route to check the mailbox. With that being said, I do believe the show has potential and will improve once we advance beyond initial exposition. I'll give it a couple more episodes but if it doesn't catch a rhythm by episode 4 I'll write it off as a missed opportunity.
Los Inocentes (2015)
Handsome but Unimaginative
This film is streaming on Netflix right now. It has an intriguing premise and cover art so I decided to check it out. One of the first things that The Innocents has going for it is beautiful cinematography. The lighting, scenery and wardrobe is very attractive. Visually this is very good work. The plantation and it's surrounding properties are authentic in every way. As far as casting goes the characters all look the part but some of their performances are sorely lacking in credibility. The language translation only furthers this problem since this is subtitled. The plot is familiar territory. Nothing new there but it's the script and dialogue that is truly uninspired. All in all this is okay. Not total garbage but not good either. Perhaps there could be a reimagining of this...
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
So it's not DOFP...
Godfather 2 is better than the original. Empire Strikes Back > Star Wars. The Matrix Reloaded isn't as good as the original but is still light years ahead of Revolutions. How many James Bond films are truly masterpieces? Yet they still keep making them for the fans. Not for the critics but for the fans. Critics are too cynical, too conditioned to highbrow interpretations of art, too self absorbed to judge what real people like us will like. Heck, they don't even pay to watch these movies. Some of the films that they rave about are stale, haughty and presumptuous. Everything can't be about aristocrats or politics or European art or have some life defining meaning in every story. X-men Apocalypse is not intended for snobs or wannabe museum curators or sommeliers or historians so please keep away.
Les visiteurs du soir (1942)
If You Appreciate Art...
I'll be the first to admit that I am probably a little more adventurous than many of my movie watching friends and co-workers. Whereas a majority of them will stick to recent or popular fare I have taken an active interest in the history of the film industry and thus will often research great movies from the past. I'm curious to know if movies that have been universally acclaimed as great or classic films are truly great or are they merely reaping the benefit of nostalgia. A movie could be great for it's time or classic in a sense of the era that it was created in or even by who was involved in it's creation. I think it's safe to say that the technological advances in the modern film industry are unprecedented and cannot be ignored. With that being said, technology, in my opinion, cannot replace, diminish or supersede intelligent writing, inspired direction and career-defining performances by legendary actors. The passage of time and the boundaries of language can't lesson the ability of art to captivate those who appreciate artistic things. This is the case with "Les Visituers Du Soir". Despite it's lack of color imagery and it's French only audio or it's age (released in 1942) Marcel Carne's medieval fantasy does not fail to entertain. In doesn't attempt to overwhelm or distract you with excessive action or special effects like most modern fantasies. Rather it delivers convincing depictions of a time and a place that we could only read about before. It's characters and their motivations are easy to relate to and it's pacing is both leisurely and deliberate. It's themes of love, lust, happiness, sadness, jealousy, rejection, hope and despair are universal. I won't cover the plot because so many others have done so but I will give this film my unconditional recommendation to fans of world cinema or just cinema in general. See it.
Daredevil (2015)
Better than average but nothing to Marvel at...
This show is well scripted, well cast and very detailed. While I have no qualms about praising those aspects of the production there is at least one area in which I feel the show is lacking. Daredevil is not just a hero he is a superhero. After watching both seasons I am still unimpressed with the visual depiction of his powers. The underworld is well represented here. The gun violence is quite visceral and graphic in nature. The characters are interesting. Conversely, the action scenes are adequate albeit a little too dark for my tastes and the total lack of special effects strips the screenplay of any sense of wonder. Say what you will about Affleck's version but one thing that it absolutely nailed was the visual aspect of the character. DD's radar sense is brilliantly brought to life in the 2003 film and is sorely missed here as are some of the high wire sequences that take place above Hell's kitchen. Cox's devil doesn't climb, swing or tumble nearly enough for me and is merely a modern day version of Kato of Green Hornet fame. BTW, his suit is inferior to Affleck's also. This show is too much of a crime drama ala Steven Seagal and could use more flair to show how Daredevil is a hero who has a unique perspective of our world.
In other words I like the show for it's drama but wish it had some of the Visual appeal of the feature film. With better SFX it would be a 10/10. My rating is 7/10. Take away Colin Firth as Bullseye and the movie is also 7/10.
Ender's Game (2013)
Books Are Great but So Are Movies
Yes I have read the book Ender's Game. I also have read other great books by Orson Scott Card such as Wyrms, The Worthing Saga, The Memory of Earth and the Folks of the Fringe. They are all great reads and very entertaining. Books rely on the imagination of the reader to fill in the blanks and draw comparisons and in doing so they provide a more intimate, insightful and personal experience. Imagining what an alien looks like is probably more personal than seeing how someone else had imagined it would look. Yet movie adaptations can deliver an experience that written word cannot. They are separate accounts of the same story. One promotes interest in the other. I like both and I am glad to have finally been given a cinematic rendition of Cards original vision. Ender's Game is a very good movie. It's not Oscar worthy nor was it intended to be. It is ,however, entertaining and well acted with state of the art sfx, sets and costumes. Maybe they should start giving science fiction movies their own awards much like they do with the books which have the Hugo and the Nebula awards. Why shouldn't genre films be recognized for individual excellence? You wouldn't want a vegetarian trying to critique your wing sauce would you? No? Well, neither do I want high-brows ranking my science fiction.
Jug Face (2013)
Inspired Madness
I have just finished watching JUG FACE for the first time and I must admit that this is not at all how I expected to feel. The title alone does nothing to promote high expectations. Neither does the few clips that have been showing on the previews from other dvds. This is by all accounts a low budget affair but it still has ...something. There's not a lot of astounding visual effects to distract you or sugarcoat the story but the one thing this film has which is easy to spot is authenticity. It is not the shadowy beings that roam the woods that scare you. It's not the unknown entity that dwells in the pit. Those things are really just there to provide a focus for the real horrors in this movie which are the people that live there. The unshakable faith that the followers have in their myths and the fervor that is palpable in their rhetoric seems to dance just behind their eyes. The conviction that empowers them to commit unspeakable acts. These are the things that stand out about JUG Face. It's an absolutely enthralling depiction of single mindedness and ignorant worship. The characters here are convincing if not always polished. You really feel that they don't believe they have any other choices than the ones which they are compelled to make. They don't question their lives they simply live them out until the pit chooses them. However, once she is chosen, Ada must make a choice of her own...With a larger budget this could have been a masterpiece of modern horror. As is, this is recommended for fans of true dread and moodily atmospheric thrillers. 7 out of 10.
Daredevil (2003)
Deftly visualized, Fan friendly effort
I've just finished watching the Netflix mini-series "Marvel's Daredevil" and would like to take the time to compare it with the 2003 feature length movie. The first thing I noticed is that the focus of these two efforts are considerably different in their artistic intentions. The movie, in my opinion, is essentially centered around the portrayal of the costumed hero and his motives and powers. As a result the drama and character back story are conveyed in a by the numbers fashion. With only two hours of run time I totally understand why. Most effective is the depiction of the blind hero on his midnight forays into the heart of Hell's Kitchen. The way he takes in the "sights" of the city via it's menagerie of sounds. He knows it's landscape and where it's criminal element resides. We are treated to one of the most insightful depictions of an extra-sensory ability ever placed on screen when Daredevil's radar sense is brought to life in the bar brawl and subsequent subway scene. It is here that the movie sets itself apart from the series with big budget effects, costumes and choreography. I like this movie. Michael Clarke Duncan is perfectly cast as the Kingpin even though he has relatively little to do but look suave and imposing for most of the movie. The final battle scene between he and Daredevil is explosive. The weakest aspect of this movie by far is the character of Bullseye an his portrayal by Colin Firth. He is annoyingly cliché' in his character's mannerism. Jennifer Garner is passable as Elektra although she is not as vicious as in the comics. There are times that this movie suffers from being too lighthearted and others that are melodramatic. Conversely, I did enjoy the nuanced performance of Ben Affleck and the actor that played Foggy Nelson. The series, on the other hand, is focused much more directly on the personal side of our hero and his alter ego and what makes him tick. His day to day interactions with people in general and their tendency to disappoint or exceed expected stereotypes. The organized criminal aspect of Hell's Kitchen is vividly brought to life here with nearly whole episodes devoted to the Syndicate and it's machinations. The Kingpin is nearly given as much Screen time as Daredevil himself and it nearly feels that his story is of equal importance to the creators of the show. It works. You will have a new respect for the events that push these two adversaries and their cohorts toward the series' climactic finale. Even the supporting characters are given tremendous depth here. I like this series. I can appreciate aspects of both the series and the movie. I recommend them both as they deliver different sides to the same story. Sort of like the gospels and their written accounts by respective authors about a common event. Some details corroborate others while others introduce omitted perspectives and observations. To get the total experience consume both efforts.
Wolfen (1981)
Atmospheric and Entertaining
Wolfen is absolutely a classic of the horror genre. Released in succession after the likes of Altered States, The Howling and An American Werewolf in London it actually provides more tension than the rest because it doesn't overdo the creature effects. The Howling is probably the most famous of the three films yet after purchasing and watching the blu-ray I realized something 33 years later... It's just not scary. The transformations are graphic but feel too long and drawn out now. As an adult I find that werewolves just are no longer scary. Neither is Dracula. At least American Werewolf was funny and had a charismatic lead. Where Wolfen exceeds it's genre roots is in it's attention to plot details and character development. Albert Finney is believable as a burned out cop and Gregory Hines is a treat as his co- star/sidekick the coroner. There are scenes in this film that work on a suspense level that few others can muster and the abandoned tenements provide a creepy location for their two man reconnaissance. As far as 80's horror goes this is essential viewing.
The Retrieval (2013)
Non-Stereotypical
Don't care for movies about slavery? Feel that there is nothing new or profound left to be discerned from such a well beaten premise? Would you rather not be blatantly reminded of the horrors of the civil war period of history? Well, dear movie viewer, let me allay your fears and reassure you that there is no need for hesitance in regards to watching this wonderful film. Is there killing in this movie? Yes. However, this is not done so as to pander to the audience. This is not violence for violence's sake. Nor did I get the sense that the intent was to dredge up feelings of guilt in it's viewers. This film is unique in the sense that it is the only movie about slavery which is not centered on the depiction of travesties but is instead a morality play about universal themes such as love, longing, regret, hope, kindness, selfishness, doubt and resolve. The casting is top notch as all the characters, from the young lead to the smallest cameo's, are utterly believable. Period detail and cinematography are also exceptional. There have been many films on this subject and in my opinion The Retrieval stands shoulder to shoulder with classics like Glory and Ride with the Devil. A must see.
Smultronstället (1957)
Meticulous and Languid
I begin this review with an acknowledgement that viewing this film 56 years after it's initial debut has diminished it's impact for me. Some of the techniques, both in story telling and in visual stimuli are very dated. Although I can appreciate the care and attention to detail utilized in the making of the film it does not deliver anything that I have not seen before. Mostly it conveys a familiar message in an time and tradition that may have been ground breaking in it's day but is not now. The photography is beautiful. The characters are not singular in their originality or their behavior. I recognize many of the actors from other Bergman films such as the Magician, The Seventh Seal and the Virgin Spring. This is a nice little movie about an old man reflecting on his past on an important date in his life. Good but not necessarily a classic. Classic in the sense that it is from a classic era of film making and by a heralded director no less but it does not reside in my top 100 movies of all time. Perhaps that opinion is a byproduct of my era? Perhaps it's not. There are other films made before this one that I regard much more highly. Gone with the wind, Double Indemnity, Spellbound, Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Sunrise, Pride of the Yankees, Key Largo and 12 Angry Men are all old films yet they suit my sensibilities better.
Young Ones (2014)
Rating Should Be Higher
This is a good movie. It looks good. It's interesting. It has a decent plot. It also has a few well defined characters, one of which is Ernest Holm, the father of two teenage children and the owner of a barren stretch of farm land turned desert. Holm is played by Michael Shannon in convincing fashion. He is determined without being unscrupulous. He is flawed yet humble enough to know it. He has convictions. He loves his family. This film reminded me of There Will Be Blood. The Daniel Day-Lewis movie is, of course, superior to this one although there is a similar perspective of harsh land and desperate men whose fates lie in their ability to coax wealth from it. The other major difference its that this is set in the near future and has the conceivable technological improvisations of a world where water has become the most rare commodity. All in all a pretty good movie well deserving of a much higher rating than it currently averages.
Severed (2005)
Lost in the Sauce
Severed could have been good. That is, if the director had avoided the temptation to pander to zombie clichés. After what started as an intriguing premise this film actually loses steam when the first zombie appears. The opening sequence which depicts some surprisingly well done footage of the logging industry in full detail was much more interesting than the zombie action that was to follow. Indeed, I was mildly entertained at the serious tone set at the start of the film. Angry protesters, aka tree huggers, lay in ambush for their routine harassment of the weary but resigned lumber workers who try to make their way out of the forest after a hard days work. It's a scene that you intuitively know has played out a thousand times over and thus has a feeling of authenticity.
The zombies here are portrayed in a straight-forward manner. Typical make-up, blood and gore. No distinguishing mutations or behaviors. Despite the gratuitous violence there is nothing frightening about the proceedings. No special effects or CGI to liven things or provide a visual spectacle. Just regular people lurching, shaking and growling with make-up on. A by the numbers direct to video genre film with an ambiguous ensemble cast and unique but wasted setting. 4 out of 10 stars.
Excalibur (1981)
A Vivid Dream..
I remember sneaking to watch this movie from behind the couch when I was a child. I was completely blown away. The armor, the swords, the magic. The brief nudity. This has always been one of my favorite films. There have been many other official adaptations and even a few good rip offs but this is the definitive version of Camelot. In this film King Authur was a real person with a real conscious. He broke the sword in a bout of jealous pride , admitted his folly and immediately displayed a level of humility that made him beloved by all. Of the many iconic images to be found in the film there are a few that I will never forget. Such as the lady of the lake reaching up out of the water to grasp Excalibur's hilt or the image of Mordred, clad in his brilliant gold armor, galloping defiantly upon his steed or when Merlin calls upon the dragon to trans-morph the former king's identity. A must see. A must own.
I lunghi capelli della morte (1964)
Very rewarding Gothic Horror
After hearing so much about the often ballyhooed Black Sunday film which predates this one I finally got the chance to check out both films for myself. Black Sunday a.k.a the Mask Of Satan is also a Gothic b/w Italian horror film that features Barbara Steele as it's main character. Every review that I came across recommended the Mario Bava movie without any reservations whatsoever and made constant references to it's beautiful cinematography, period detail and atmosphere. I was super anxious to see this unanimously lauded classic. However, once viewed, I did not find the Mask of Satan to be that great of a movie. Yes, it was beautifully filmed and yes it was quite atmospheric but it was also flat, boring and predictable. It's dated violence and special effects did very little to help liven things up. The eerie soundtrack that seemed to constantly be playing was too loud and it actually served to slaughter, in it's infancy, any tension that possibly might have been building. The film felt like a major let down after hearing so much about it. It was o.k. but nearer to a novelty than a classic. The Long Hair Of Death was a film which I had heard absolutely nothing about. I only just learned of it's existence when it was recently scheduled to be released on blu ray in the near future. The cover art was intriguing and there was Barbara Steele again. So I found the movie on YouTube and set out to see if it was worth adding to my collection. Little did I know what a treat I was in for. This movie is similar in look and feel to Bava's film yet it is superior to that film due to it's character development and it's bizarre and intermittent flashes of kinky eroticism. The pacing is glacial in this one also and yet it doesn't feel quite as moribund as "Sunday". The camera work is lovely and lush and is perfectly enhanced by vividly detailed decorative sets and costumes. The acting is better in this one too although the dialog is pretty standard for this type of fare. All in all, I prefer The Long Hair of Death to Black Sunday on any given day and will be purchasing a copy on blu ray ASAP.
The 6th Day (2000)
Meant to be entertaining, not enlightening...
Anyone who considers themselves a serious film buff or an intellectual should understand that the number one purpose of science fiction is to entertain. If it also happens to be insightful or enlightening then that is a pleasant bonus. Inevitably, science fiction asks you to suspend your disbelief at one point or another. Again, this is not designed to be judged by Oscar worthy standards or as a universally appreciated form of high art. They make films in other genres where you can sate your longing for poignant, factual, emotionally charged or challenging material which, admittedly, can sometimes cover very heavy subject matter. There are certainly times when those types of movies serve as perfect fare. However, the values and themes of these films are often heightened and accentuated by the contrast of a more accessible, much cooler, less pretentious movie imbued with good FX, lots of action, big explosions and a lead performance that is obviously charismatic if not overly compelling. The 6th day has all these attributes and is also a lot of fun to boot. Check it out today.
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Better Than Expected Less Than Hoped For
First off let me say that I have never read either of the books that this movie was inspired by. In fact Memnoch The Devil is the only Anne Rice Book that I've ever read. However, after watching Queen of the Damned for the first time now, nearly 12 years after is release, I am intrigued by it's premise and will make time to go back and read both books. As for the movie, it is a middling affair. There are many positives, among them are Stuart Townsend's portrayal of Lestat, Aaliyah as Akasha, fantastic songs written specifically for the movie and a few stylistic flourishes here and there. I absolutely bought in to Lestat's hard rock persona. On a lesser note I couldn't help but make involuntary comparisons to Interview with a Vampire. Needless to say THAT is a better movie. Yet this movie could have been much closer in quality had some more elaborate choices been made in regards to special effects, a moodier screenplay and a greater focus on detail in general. There is absolutely zero tension or suspense in this film in thanks partially to it's metal music overload. I like the songs yet I feel that the dramatic scenes would have been better served with a more brooding or sinister soundtrack. Also, the climax was a bit rushed or underwhelming or trivialized. Not bad though.
Orda (2012)
Well Made Drama
Only 5 reviews so far? Contrary to what some reviewers would have you believe this is a film that is clearly well made. The sets, costumes and period detail is exceptional. The camera work and direction, at least to my untrained eyes, appears to be top notch. While the story was unfamiliar to me it was interesting and well paced. Whether these accounts are historically correct or are depicted without bias is utterly irrelevant to the average movie goer. If you like well conceived, believable, detailed dramas about other lands and peoples then this is worth a long look. The acting is excellent, especially the role of the Mongolian matriarch played by Roza Khayrullina. Her authority and air of nobility is palpable. There is very little action in this film. However, there are numerous portrayals of brutality and violence as these are really unavoidable. Why is there no bluray?
Shinobi (2005)
Least Favorite Asian Epic
Right away i could tell that this was not going to be another classic such as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Legend of the Black Scorpion, etc. The use of CGI does not feel right. The action is not seriously depicted and therefore is not as interesting or engaging as I had hoped. The plot, however, is fairly well conceived and the set designs and costumes are generally impressive. Overall this is OK but not worth buying for your collection. Ip Man is an all around better film and relies on wire work and seamless editing to bring it's action choreography to life. All said, this was a nice try and for fans of the genre can be no worse than some of the other movies that might vie for your attention.