As Above, So Below (2014)

I think the horror genre is tap out at this point in time.

Admittedly, apart from the decent Deliver Us From Evil (2014) and also Babadok (2014) I am not sure there is any good horror in 2014.

I watched the above today and it is just decent.

Points are scored for "showing" the French Catacomb. Why would any living person visited the said place is beyond me (same goes for the English version)!!

Who would have thought that Nicolas Flamel (a 14th Century's scribe and manuscript-seller) (of Harry Potter fame??!) is really.

Supposedly, there is a rumor after his death, during the 17th century that he had discovered The Philosopher's Stone and the said stone has the ability to grant immortality.

In this movie, archaeologist, Scarlett, takes father her father and is chasing after The Philosopher's Stone and at any cost...

Apparently, Nicolas Flamel grave holds the the secret, and the catacombs runs underneath his tomb...

Let the terror begin???

It is a mildly entertaining horror movie.

For a horror movie, there really isn't much that is really scary or shocking... Even with the French Catacomb as the back drop...

My Two Sen

The Vault of Horror (1973)

Now this really brings me back to the past.

I actually remember watching this on TV back in the day, on RTM!!!!

Excellent example of what you can do with good actors, good story and 0 budget!

The English is really good with this method of delivery!!!

This is an anthology, meaning there are five stories in one movie, namely,

Segment 1 "Midnight Mess"
Segment 2 "The Neat Job"
Segment 3 "This Trick'll Kill You"
Segment 4 "Bargain in Death"
Segment 5 "Drawn and Quartered"

Each story as they were told, gets more and more macabre!

And at the end of it all, a conclusion is done.

The ending has been widely imitated and have to add, when I first watched it on TV many years ago the ending blew my MIND!!!!

After all the big budget flops, you don't know how much I enjoy this, and if you like horror, give this a go, why don't you.

My Two Sen

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

Frankly, I did not know what to expect from this movie.

An Iranian movie, with Persian dialog?? Okay...

First impression, the movie started and... it is in black and white... okay...

Ana Lily Amirpour work is an amalgamation between Neill Blomkamp and Quentin Tarantino... with an added dash of Parisan influence... Am I making sense?

This is a fine FINE movie.

With alot of dark humor.

Well cast and scripted and an excellent delivery.

Did I mention this is a vampire movie??

I love this, I love this, I love this!!

Watch it already why don't you.

Her next movie, The Bad Batch is suppose to have Jason Momoa, Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves... Now THAT is one movie I cannot wait to see.

My Two Sen

Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

This is a good example of why sequels should not be make.

Don't get me wrong. The people involved really wanted to make a good movie, and the opposite is produced instead.

Being a 1986 movie, the effects were pretty good.

In a round about way H. R. Giger was involved with the production design (ghost/demon design, he sent an assistant).

The downside, story people. The story is... bad.

Nothing gel.

Seriously.

Nothing!!

Don't even get me started on the medium and Shaman/Medicine man...

So, in summary, decent effect, bad story even worst editing...

Guess what this movie made money... So much so there is a Poltergeist III... I kid you not...

My Two Sen

Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

Let's talk about Leigh Whannell.

Who is Leigh Whannell?

He is the person who wrote the Insidious trilogy with James Wan.

You'll probably know him as the character Specs in the trilogy.

Now, why do I want to talk about Leigh Whannell?

I just want to reassure you Insidious Chapter 3 is in good hands.

How can it be not?

This trilogy are as much his babies as they are James Wan's!!!

First thing first, it is a prequel (it started before Insidious 1, and a few years after Elise helped the young Josh Lambert character).

The movie started out slow. Maybe a little too slow.

When we first see Elise, you know something is wrong with her...

This movie is mainly about the Brenner family.

Dermot Mulroney plays Sean Brenner (the father) and Stefanie Scott plays Quinn Brenner, his daughter who cannot wait until she is grown up and can move away. Quinn Brenner reminds me of the elder sister in Mrs Doubtfire...

Okay, here is the real surprise.

The cinema I was in was about 40% full.

Lots of giggling, lots of whispering...

Here is the surprise, when the scary bits happened, the GUYS screamed the loudest.

Not the "I want to scare my girlfriend kinda scream". More like "I don't believe my girlfriend is making me watch this scream"!!!

Okay, where was I... Right, started out slow, Things pick up after the slow start and when things go bump in the night, IT DOES NOT STOP BUMPING!!! (Hence all the manly screams.... )

SO, it it better then the last two... I would have to say almost.

I think 1 & 2 works better because of the "power couple" Patrick Wilson & Rose Byrne. Here we only have Dermot Mulroney to hold down the fort and a little brother Tate Berney, who really does nothing.

Also nice to see how Elise, Spec and Tucker, "hooked up"

Leigh Whannell is not as masterful as James Wan with his beats (timing) and have to add, he is damn close!!

I do not mind it if they actually make 4. I would pay money to see it!!

GO watch this. You know you want to.

My Two Sen

Poltergeist (2015)

What can I say about this remake?

For a horror movie, it is NOT very scary.

The script is pretty similar to the original, unfortunately this means there really is not surprise to the people who had WATCHED the original.

Don't get me wrong, Sam Rockwell & Rosemarie DeWitt (father and mother) tries their best with the material at hand and as I had state, the material is flawed...Not so much flawed, just VERY familiar to the viewers.

At the middle, the action/horror did picked up (the poor boy child, looked like he did alot of the "stunts", was dragged all over the place) and the movie did not excel any further then that....

To make matters worst, the effects are all CGI, which means the the ghouls and ghost are all very.... unorganic... robbing the movie even further.

So, uninspired storyline and had be copied multi-times over by other movies plus, really "fake" CGI ghouls and ghost....

This is director Gil Kenan's third movie...

And first time movie Leigh Whannell, is running rings around this with Insidious 3 (2015)...

Insidious 3 cost USD 10,000,000 to make and this cost USD 35,000,000...

Get a clue Hollywood, get your STORY right.

Sadly, this will not make money.

Which is a shame. Now movie producers will point to this and say, big budget horror is not good business. I beg to differ. Case in point, Drag Me to Hell (2009) and The Cabin in the Woods (2012) are great horror movies.

Oh oh, I almost forgot, the best part of this movie was, they showed the trailer for Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak (2015).

Now THAT looks like it is going to be a proper scare!!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 17 2015, 11:57 PM

Demonic (2014)

My planning to watch this movie is bad

I arrived late, the movie had already started for 15 minutes when I entered the cinema.

To top THAT off, I did not have any dinner b4, so I had to leave the cinema to get some grub...

Even then I guess the end...

The story is thin and does not make ANY sense....

A disappointment

My two sen...

Watched this on 1080p, just to see what I missed, and...

This is even worst with 2nd viewing....

My Additional Two Sens.

Cannot say I have...

Even more sick compared with The Human Centipede (2009)??

Okay. Thanks for the heads p

The Visit (2015)

I think M. Night Shyamalan had had gotten alot of criticism for his works, especially for his last 4 works, namely

After Earth (2013)
The Last Airbender (2010)
The Happening (2008)
Lady in the Water (2004)

After Earth (2013) getting the blunt of the said criticism (at least three Razzies awards).

And I admit, I am one of the critics.

You have to understand. I criticize, because I care.

I truely, truely love The Sixth Sense (1999) and Unbreakable (2000).

I like, Signs (2002) and The Village (2004).

I cringed at Lady in the Water (2006) and kinda/sorta like The Happening (2008).

I am not getting into The Last Airbender (2010) and After Earth (2013).

I know there are still more good movies in M. Night Shyamalan, and the After Earth (2013) is NOT one of them. (If you read my review of the movie, I was trying desperately to very diplomatically NOT call it a bad movie)

Let's get back to the subject at hand, is The Visit (2015), good?

It has a very modestly budgeted (in American terms, that is what USD 5 million is, in the grand scheme of things) compared to his last 2 works.

It is very VERY intimate (you get to know the two young protagonist quite well).

I think there-in is where M. Night Shyamalan strength lays, small, intimate, movie that evolves around young talented actors (I know, his last two movies had many young actors. I did use the word talented did I not?? )!

The script (written by him) is good. The situation is highly improbably, and have to add not impossible (Hitchcock anyone?? )

The young actors are great!! Ed Oxenbould's character, Tyler steals the show!!

Any I believe, many people are wondering, is this a horror movie!!

To not spoil the fun for you, let me go on the record that this is a suspense movie, with "elements" of horror!!

Intrigued??

I think I have watched too much of M. Night Shyamalan works!!

I recognised his "beats".

So much so that
Well, alot of buzz is being made that this is M. Night Shyamalan comeback movie.

I agree on some level.

I believe he has found his comfort zone.

Can he be more then this?

Only time will tell.

I recommend this.

So much so, I will also but this in my Horror Thread as well!!

My Two Sen.

P.S. There are two noticeable cuts made to the movie (I think it is two). You get confused for a couple of seconds and then you mind manages to catch up. Just so youse know.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Sep 22 2015, 01:13 PM

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

One of my favorite horror movie.

It shows that horror movies can also be funny.

Before you run out and get this, please understand that it is VERY RACY and is most definitely not suitable for young children.

Having said that, anyone here been to England, and can vouch that nurses in England are like Nurse Alex Price? What do I mean? Prim Proper, Naughty nurse?? Anyone??

John Landis more know for comedy rather then horror.

After he finished The Blues Brothers and made a name for himself, Unviersal/Polygram Picture greenlit this and gave him a budget of 10 million.

When he first conceive the movie, and found out that there was alot of incentive for movie makers to make movies in England, he went okay werewolf in London, done.

He then ask Rick Baker, if the transformation sequence can be done and Rick Said, he would think about it.

When he called Rick and said he had the budget, Rick was already working on The Howling (1981)!!!

John had a few choice words which he shared with Rick and Rick said, okay I was get my protege to work on The Howling (I will consult) which will free me up to do your movie. And thank goodness for THAT!!

I also love the special feature. I did not know alot about this movie, namely


If you want a funny funny horror movie, look no further.

Enjoy

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 2 2015, 11:18 PM

Crimson Peak (2015)

Going in, I had high hopes for this movie. Why? Guillermo del Toro, babe!!!

I know alot of people had watched/is watching this because of Tom Hiddleston (Thomas Sharpe). I have to say he has gotten the "tortured soul" act down peg!!

Interestingly, just before this premier of this movie a few weeks back Charlie Hunnam (Dr. Alan McMichael) opened up about how hard it was letting go of the lead role in 50 Shades of Grey (2014), because he had promised Guillermo del Toro he would do this first, and there was a scheduling conflict between this movie and 50 Shades of Grey. I respect him for that!!

From a production point of view, Guillermo never leave anything to happy happenstance!! By Jove, the sets for Allerdale Hall are just... staggering!!

I was impressed with what they did for the house in the movie The Haunting (1999) (in terms for the sets), and have to add, this movie's sets, blows that OUT OF THE WATER!!

As for Guillermo's latest ingenue, Mia Wasikowska (Edith Cushing), every time I see her, I kept thinking to myself, gosh, she sure looks like a cross between Martha Plimpton (The Goonies (1985)) & Jodie Foster. To the point when it got in the way of me watching the movie!!

Now, for me, the real highlight of the movie is Jessica Chastain (Lucille Sharpe). From the minute you saw her character in the movie, she was able to project a certain... lacking a better term, "off-ness" and I will leave it at that.

A word of caution, this is NOT a ghost story per se... Just so happens that be a story, where ghosts do make an appearance or two once in a while. As long as you "get" that, you will enjoy the movie better (the characters in the movie, keeps reminding you of that).

There is an old school approach Guillermo del Toro takes when making movies. What do I mean. What I mean is that, he places emphasis on telling the story.

For me, truth to be told, I found the ending "anti-climatic". I have to add, please do not let that deter you from watching this movie.

Why?

When I first watched Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010), I found their ending anti-climatic as well. And with repeat watching, I enjoy them MUCH better!!

What am I saying?

I am saying, that Guillermo del Toro's works are like fine wine. You have to sip it slowly, let it air abit, let the flavour open up and then when you have another sip, you appreciate it even more!

... Clear as mud??

My Two Sen.

Hell-ooooo kiddies... (great, now I sound like the crypt keeper...)

Have not updated this for a long time.

Truth to be told, not much happening in the horror movie genre...

So, with that in mind, I executed my limited "google-fu" and was able to scope out, what are the horror offerings this year

The following, is the result

March 2016

The Witch (2015)
The Invitation (2015)

April 2016

Rings (2016)
Amityville: The Awakening (2016)
Green Room (2015)
Before I Wake (2016)

May 2016

Friday the 13th (2017)

June 2016

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

July 2016

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

August 2016

A Man in the Dark (2016)

September 2016

Patient Zero (2016)
Lights Out (2016)
When the Bough Breaks (2016)
A Cure for Wellness (2016)

October 2016

Underworld 5 (2016)
Ouija 2 (2016)

I am mildly intrigue by The Witch trailer today.

Surprisingly, April and September are packed full of horror offerings!?!

Out of the list, the one I most anticipate is The Conjuring 2 and have to add, I am also dreading it... Why? What if James Wan does not deliver!!!!?!

I am also surprised by the new Amityville: The Awakening (2016) and Friday the 13th (2017)... Really??? We need more of those?

And Underworld 5... Anyone still bother, really???!?

Lastly, I am also mildly intrigued by Gore Verbinski's A Cure for Wellness (2016). Why? This guys made Rango (2011) (YEAHHHHHH!). He also made The Lone Ranger (2013) (Not so YEAHHHHH!!!). Let see how he does on the horror genre.

addendum

Wow, a quick check and alot of movies I'd places in the list above, does not appear in cinema.com.my...

So chances are, we may not be able to watch them at our local cinema...

Sad...

Green Room (2016)

The Boy (2016)

Okay. This is something different.

Firstly, there is alot of drama in this "horror" movie.

And frankly for a "horror" movie, way TOO much drama!!

Greta Evans (Lauren Cohan) is an American running away from her past . In fact, she ran all the way to England, and became a nanny (A fan of Mary Poppins maybe?? )

She works for a very wealthy family, the Heelshire, taking care of their son, Brahms.

When she was first introduced to Brahms (her first day), she was shock to find that he is a 2.5" porcelain doll!!!

She also met the local grocer, Malcolm (Rupert Evans, last seen by me in Hellboy) on her first day.

I know, it sound a little prozac'ed, and for much of the movie it is.

The ending does redeem itself a little, I just wish more things had happened during the course of the movie.

Granted, I wasn't paying that much attention, was cleaning my apartment whilst watching this (distracted?)... Maybe need to re-watch...

Will keep you posted.

My Two Sen

Krampus (2015)

Now, for something old skool.

If you like movies like Gremlins and Gremlins II, you may like this.

All the "effect" are practical rather then CGI, and I for one appreciate that.

Krampus is an old believe that is you lose the spirit of Christmas, Santa Clause does not pay you a visit.

Instead, Krampus would visit.

Where Santa reward, Krampus punishes.

Where Santa gives, Krampus takes.

I like this.

It's old skool. (Like me)

My Two Sen

The Witch (2015)

This is Robert Eggers's first feature film as a director and he he did an amazing job.

His creates "spook" by telling a story.

No shock around the corner.

No suddenly loud music.

Just by telling a story.

He started out his profession as a set director.

This movie is set in the 1800s so, everything is authentic!!!

In an interview, he said he wanted his set design to invoke "smell"!!

Wow...

Still cannot get over how well this story is told

An it is more of a creepy/eerie feeling rather than a straight out fright!!

I don;t want to say too much about this.

Do not want to spoil it for you.

Really good movie!!

My Two Sen

The Last Man on Earth (1964)

Well here is something I did not know until today.

For the lovers of the movie, I Am Legend (2007) is based on Richard Matheson's novel I Am Legend, this is the first movie adapted from the same book!

This movie stars Vincent Price!

Original Fritz Lang was supposed to have directed this (that would have been a different level of movie all together)

Do not watched this to see an old version of I Am Legend (2007).

Watch this if you are a fan of Vincent Price.

Hammer was supposed to have made this. They could not get approval from the British Censor, so the rights were sold to Robert Lippert (American Producer).

To save money, the film was shot in Italy with a predominantly Italian cast and crew.

Watched this is color, then only to notice I could have watched in it's original Black and White version (*groan*)

I love the camp!!

Although in I Am Legend, almost everyone is a vampire, here they are move zombie like!!

My Two Sen

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965)

Like it's comic books counterpart, movie used to have anthology within itself.

What do I mean?

Take this for example. There are five story within this movie, with a main story tying everything together...

So this movie has these 5 short stories

Werewolf
Creeping Vine
Voodoo
Disembodied Hand (with a VERY young Michael Gough (Tim Burton's Batman's Alfred), whom I did not recognised and Christopher Lee!!)
Vampire (Youthful Donald Sutherland)

With Peter Cushing (Dr. Terror' / Dr. W. R. Schreck) tarot card reader's story tying everything together!!

Made by Amicus Productions (second largest Horror movie makers in England (Owned by Americans) outside of Hammer)

I missed these short story horror movies.

Maybe Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis could revive this format through their Dark Castle Entertainment production house.

Their remake of House on Haunted Hill (1999), Thir13en Ghosts (2001), Ghost Ship (2002), Gothika (2003) and House of Wax (2005) were quite enjoyable!!

My Two Sen