Some SyFy channel movies are worth seeing while others are like this film Carny (2009), which is nothing but the same-old-same-old. When a side show carnival shows up in the outskirts of a small town, their prized new freak is that of a winged devil-creature that was acquired through nefarious ways. When the devil-creature gets lose it is up to the town sheriff Atlas (Lou Diamond Phillips) to rid them of the creature at any costs.
Now this film has the distinction of being just like any other SyFy film with the small town sheriff out to protect his town from the evil monster. The problem with this film lies in the bland characters and mediocre monster, which is made even more inane by the subpar CGI effects. It also hurts the film that there are no other “freaks” that are even remotely interesting. It’s a side show carnival that lacks any real “carnies” which makes the scenes when the monster isn’t on screen very mundane.
I enjoy Phillips in low budget films (i.e. Bats, Route 666, Red Water) but this film even he can’t save. This film lacks anything more than just the superficial horror genre trappings which is fine if it has an interesting monster or great actors (the hallmark of any good SyFy movie) but this films lacks both. Phillips is but one man in a film that should be filled with freaks. At least they would have made the film more interesting.
CITY GARDEN - "The Old Woman & The Park"
On the set of the short film "A Gift"
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Film Review: CRITTERS 3
By the time Critters 3 (1991) is released all the steam is out of the franchise but production company New Line Cinema decides to film 2 sequels at once (as parts 3 & 4 are released just a year apart). It is not explained how there can possibly be any more critters left after the last film only that Earth bound bounty hunter Charlie (Don Opper) is still at work making the world safe from the creatures the best way that he can.
This time a critters catches a ride with a impoverished family who have stopped over near Grover’s Bend. A father and his two children come into contact with a run-down Charlie who looks more like a homeless man than a bounty hunter. When the family returns home to their apartment complex they are unaware of their hitchhiker and soon the complex is overrun with critters.
If you thought the original film was light on violence then you haven’t seen anything as this film is far too kid-friendly for its own good. Even though the main characters are still kids this film makes you think as though the film makers were trying to make a film for the PG crowd and the overall films suffers for it as it is far to domesticated for my tastes. After an all too brief appearance at the beginning Charlie doesn’t reappear until half way through the film and he is played completely for laughs this go-around. Although the previous two films had their humor and the character of Charlie has always been the comic foil, there is no one in this film that can balance the comedy like Scott Grimes did in the previous films. The film makers try to do this with the three main children leads in the film but they can’t hold the film and the overall film suffers. This film is actually boring through many of the repetitive parts.
This being sad I enjoyed the ending of the film more than the film itself as the End Credit sequence sets up the events for Part 4 and it is a welcomed return to see Terrence Mann return as Ug (despite the fact that at the end of Part 2 he has the same face as Charlie).
This time a critters catches a ride with a impoverished family who have stopped over near Grover’s Bend. A father and his two children come into contact with a run-down Charlie who looks more like a homeless man than a bounty hunter. When the family returns home to their apartment complex they are unaware of their hitchhiker and soon the complex is overrun with critters.
If you thought the original film was light on violence then you haven’t seen anything as this film is far too kid-friendly for its own good. Even though the main characters are still kids this film makes you think as though the film makers were trying to make a film for the PG crowd and the overall films suffers for it as it is far to domesticated for my tastes. After an all too brief appearance at the beginning Charlie doesn’t reappear until half way through the film and he is played completely for laughs this go-around. Although the previous two films had their humor and the character of Charlie has always been the comic foil, there is no one in this film that can balance the comedy like Scott Grimes did in the previous films. The film makers try to do this with the three main children leads in the film but they can’t hold the film and the overall film suffers. This film is actually boring through many of the repetitive parts.
This being sad I enjoyed the ending of the film more than the film itself as the End Credit sequence sets up the events for Part 4 and it is a welcomed return to see Terrence Mann return as Ug (despite the fact that at the end of Part 2 he has the same face as Charlie).
Film Review: CRITTERS 2: THE MAIN COURSE
Bigger. Badder. And out for more food. The critters are back for more in Critters 2: The Main Course (1988) and back with them are returning bounty hunters Ug and Lee and Brad Brown (Scott Grimes) to save his little town from an all new infestation.
After the events of the first film the Brown family is unaware that Critter eggs were left in their barn where the cold has kept them in suspended animation for several years. An uncouple less junk sales man gets his hands on them and sells them to an unsuspecting woman who is contributing them to the yearly Eater Egg Hunt. This all coincides with Brad’s return home after leaving due to the events surrounding the first critter attack. He gets more than he bargained for when this new batch is more fierce and hungrier and are multiplying at an exponential rate. Now Brad must get the whole town to help him rid them of the infestation before they are completely over run.
This film is much bigger than the previous film and with a bigger budget it shows. The film is no longer limited to just one location like the original film and there are more explosions and more critters all over the place. This is a film that when it says, “Bigger is better,” they actually mean it. This film also ups the stakes as main characters are killed off and more people meet their deaths than in the previous film (which was tame compared to this film). There is plenty of humor to be had and just as much action (which makes up for the lack of suspense since the critters are not as menacing as they were in the previous film).
This is a rare instance where a sequel improves upon the original which is due to the strong screenplay by David Twohy (Warlock, The Arrival, Pitch Black) and Mick Garris (The Stand, Desperation), who also directed. The film also has a great supporting cast with many people returning from the original but also adding in a few new faces such as Liane Curtis, Sam Anderson, and Barry Corbin, to name a few.
After the events of the first film the Brown family is unaware that Critter eggs were left in their barn where the cold has kept them in suspended animation for several years. An uncouple less junk sales man gets his hands on them and sells them to an unsuspecting woman who is contributing them to the yearly Eater Egg Hunt. This all coincides with Brad’s return home after leaving due to the events surrounding the first critter attack. He gets more than he bargained for when this new batch is more fierce and hungrier and are multiplying at an exponential rate. Now Brad must get the whole town to help him rid them of the infestation before they are completely over run.
This film is much bigger than the previous film and with a bigger budget it shows. The film is no longer limited to just one location like the original film and there are more explosions and more critters all over the place. This is a film that when it says, “Bigger is better,” they actually mean it. This film also ups the stakes as main characters are killed off and more people meet their deaths than in the previous film (which was tame compared to this film). There is plenty of humor to be had and just as much action (which makes up for the lack of suspense since the critters are not as menacing as they were in the previous film).
This is a rare instance where a sequel improves upon the original which is due to the strong screenplay by David Twohy (Warlock, The Arrival, Pitch Black) and Mick Garris (The Stand, Desperation), who also directed. The film also has a great supporting cast with many people returning from the original but also adding in a few new faces such as Liane Curtis, Sam Anderson, and Barry Corbin, to name a few.
Film Review: CRITTERS (1986)
In 1986 a creature feature was crafted to cash in on the success of the Joe Dante film Gremlins (1984). The result was this uniquely crafty horror film Critters. Similar in tone to that of its predecessor, Critters was the “Roger Corman” version of Gremlins in a similar way that Dante’s other film Piranha (1978) was a rip-off of Jaws (1975).
Critters concern a race of aliens that crash land on Earth in search of nothing more than food and to procreate. On their trail are two shape-shifting bounty hunters who will hunt the critters down at any cost. What stands in the critters way is the farm house of Brad Brown (Scott Grimes) and his family. Brad is the quintessential trouble maker who wars with his older sister and constantly makes a nuisance of himself for his mother and father. His only friend is the local drunk Charlie (Don Opper) who is the only person that believes him when he says that there are aliens that have landed. Now Brad must enlist the help of the bounty hunters in order to save his family from the hungry balls of critter fur.
The film works in a different way than Gremlins in that these creatures are intelligent and speak their own language (which makes for some very funny moments in the film) and they actually are the source of a lot of nice suspense in the film. The film is also dark in atmosphere while maintaining a nice balance with the comic tone and humor of the film. Despite the similarities that the film has with its predecessor it stands on its own due to the sci-fi aspects of the film (which Gremlins does not have).
Critters become such as success as to warrant three sequels and making it one of the more interesting franchises of the ‘80s.
Critters concern a race of aliens that crash land on Earth in search of nothing more than food and to procreate. On their trail are two shape-shifting bounty hunters who will hunt the critters down at any cost. What stands in the critters way is the farm house of Brad Brown (Scott Grimes) and his family. Brad is the quintessential trouble maker who wars with his older sister and constantly makes a nuisance of himself for his mother and father. His only friend is the local drunk Charlie (Don Opper) who is the only person that believes him when he says that there are aliens that have landed. Now Brad must enlist the help of the bounty hunters in order to save his family from the hungry balls of critter fur.
The film works in a different way than Gremlins in that these creatures are intelligent and speak their own language (which makes for some very funny moments in the film) and they actually are the source of a lot of nice suspense in the film. The film is also dark in atmosphere while maintaining a nice balance with the comic tone and humor of the film. Despite the similarities that the film has with its predecessor it stands on its own due to the sci-fi aspects of the film (which Gremlins does not have).
Critters become such as success as to warrant three sequels and making it one of the more interesting franchises of the ‘80s.
Film Review: MANEATER (2007)
I wish I could say that this Gary Busey starring throwback to ‘80s made-for-television horror is horrible (like so many other films that premiered on the Syfy channel) but oddly enough it’s not terrible. The film Maneater (2007), which shouldn’t be confused with the countless other films with the same title, concerns Grady Barnes (Busey) whose small town is suddenly under attack from a wild Bengal Tiger that has misplaced from its known world. He then must enlist the aid of the National Guard and a wild game tiger hunter from India in order to kill the wild tiger before any more people are killed despite the fact that the Mayor refuses to close down the local Corn & Apple Festival which brings in lots of tourists and keeps their small town alive.
Sounds like a riff-off of Jaws (1975) and for the most part it is, just replace the giant great white with a Bengal Tiger and there you have it. The thing that makes this film slightly different from other films is the religious allegory and motif that is established between the tiger and the small boy in which the tiger has become attached (and is the only person exempt from the tiger’s jaws). This doesn’t make the film better as it suffers from mediocre acting from most of the cast (although Busey does give a much more subtle performance than I’m used to).
An asset to the film is the real tiger used in the film and the lack of CGI effects. This film feels like a monster film from the ‘80s from beginning to end. Unlike other Syfy films that rely too heavily on the CGI monster it was nice to see a film that strived for realism. This is not to say that the film was a masterpiece but it’s nice to see that there are still a few films being made in which they feel like the films I watched on television when I was young.
Sounds like a riff-off of Jaws (1975) and for the most part it is, just replace the giant great white with a Bengal Tiger and there you have it. The thing that makes this film slightly different from other films is the religious allegory and motif that is established between the tiger and the small boy in which the tiger has become attached (and is the only person exempt from the tiger’s jaws). This doesn’t make the film better as it suffers from mediocre acting from most of the cast (although Busey does give a much more subtle performance than I’m used to).
An asset to the film is the real tiger used in the film and the lack of CGI effects. This film feels like a monster film from the ‘80s from beginning to end. Unlike other Syfy films that rely too heavily on the CGI monster it was nice to see a film that strived for realism. This is not to say that the film was a masterpiece but it’s nice to see that there are still a few films being made in which they feel like the films I watched on television when I was young.
Graphic Novel Review: THE 'NAM Vol. 1
The late ‘80s were dominated by superhero comics. All other genres were pushed aside to make way for the latest Spider-Man or Batman title or the latest debut of an all new Marvel or DC character but war comics were seen as something that was dead and buried. Then in ’86 Marvel debuted what was thought to be an oddity and a gamble with the very real and very gritty title The ‘Nam, which depicted events during the Vietnam war in a very realistic manner from the grunts point of view. Although not an instant success, The ‘Nam became one of the most ground breaking titles of the ‘80s. This first volume collects the first 10 issues of the series.
When the title was originally released, I didn’t catch on to it until the issue 8 or 9 and I was hooked immediately. It was unlike any other title I had ever read. Trying to pick up back issues was extremely hard as they became immediate collector’s items but Marvel (the company that released the title) was smart enough to reprint back issues in the form of The ‘Nam Magazine (covers of which are included at the end of the graphic novel). This graphic novel is a reprint of an earlier version just rebound and recolored (the original graphic novel covers are also included). This is a very handsomely presented collection of one of the greatest war comics.
Reading the series in sequential order is a revelation as the stories were designed to be in real time and there be a month of time that goes in between each story (the release date of each issue) so reading the series in which it was meant gives you a whole different perspective on the events and characters of the series especially when very well liked main characters are killed off at a moment’s notice (similar to that of the real war). People coming to the title for the very first time will benefit from this and those (like me) who haven’t read the series since it was originally released will be given a new perspective on one of the greatest of all war comics.
When the title was originally released, I didn’t catch on to it until the issue 8 or 9 and I was hooked immediately. It was unlike any other title I had ever read. Trying to pick up back issues was extremely hard as they became immediate collector’s items but Marvel (the company that released the title) was smart enough to reprint back issues in the form of The ‘Nam Magazine (covers of which are included at the end of the graphic novel). This graphic novel is a reprint of an earlier version just rebound and recolored (the original graphic novel covers are also included). This is a very handsomely presented collection of one of the greatest war comics.
Reading the series in sequential order is a revelation as the stories were designed to be in real time and there be a month of time that goes in between each story (the release date of each issue) so reading the series in which it was meant gives you a whole different perspective on the events and characters of the series especially when very well liked main characters are killed off at a moment’s notice (similar to that of the real war). People coming to the title for the very first time will benefit from this and those (like me) who haven’t read the series since it was originally released will be given a new perspective on one of the greatest of all war comics.
Graphic Novel Review: ZOMBIEWORLD: CHAMPION OF THE WORMS
The zombie genre has become its own cottage industry when it comes to the comic industry so it was with great apprehension that I picked up ZOMBIEWORLD Vol. 1: CHAMPION OF THE WORMS but I did because of the talent behind the book. I’ve always been a Mike Mignola fan so I was curious on how he would approach the material and even though I am not familiar with the art of Pat McEown it was very similar to Mignola’s own.
The story does not waste time getting straight into the story as Major Damson and his group of paranormal specialists has been consulted by a museum with a new Hyperborean relic which has been causing the museum several superstitious problems. Damson believes that the museum has unwilling set into motion the resurrection of Azzul Gotha, one of the most dreaded necromancers of the Hyperborean people, who was entombed alive in a sarcophagus. Azzul Gotha wants to bring about the end of the world and appease his Worm Gods. Now Damson and his team must find the resurrected Azzul Gotha and stop him before he can raise the dead and bring about the end of the world.
Like many of Mignola’s stories this is very fast paced but unlike the successful Hellboy books this story lacks the depth and characters of those books. This story falls flat partly because the characters never become fully developed and the story lacks any real creativity or originality. There is nothing new here that hasn’t been seen or done before. Damson’s team all seem unique and interesting but very little time is spent on any of them and they come off as being very flat and at times dull.
Being a huge fan of the zombie genre I wish I could say some good things about the title but I’ll reserve that for the next Hellboy story.
The story does not waste time getting straight into the story as Major Damson and his group of paranormal specialists has been consulted by a museum with a new Hyperborean relic which has been causing the museum several superstitious problems. Damson believes that the museum has unwilling set into motion the resurrection of Azzul Gotha, one of the most dreaded necromancers of the Hyperborean people, who was entombed alive in a sarcophagus. Azzul Gotha wants to bring about the end of the world and appease his Worm Gods. Now Damson and his team must find the resurrected Azzul Gotha and stop him before he can raise the dead and bring about the end of the world.
Like many of Mignola’s stories this is very fast paced but unlike the successful Hellboy books this story lacks the depth and characters of those books. This story falls flat partly because the characters never become fully developed and the story lacks any real creativity or originality. There is nothing new here that hasn’t been seen or done before. Damson’s team all seem unique and interesting but very little time is spent on any of them and they come off as being very flat and at times dull.
Being a huge fan of the zombie genre I wish I could say some good things about the title but I’ll reserve that for the next Hellboy story.
Graphic Novel Review: CHALLENGER DEEP
The comic book industry and graphic novels have changed dramatically over the past decade. No longer dominated by the superhero genre the industry has allowed other genres to flourish especially the sci-fi and horror genres. A few years ago a graphic novel such as Challenger Deep would’ve been an oddity but in today’s market this sci-fi drama is the norm and publisher Boom! Studios has made it a norm to challenge their audiences with though provoking stories of all genres (including the occasional superhero book).
Challenger Deep is the story of an elite rescue team who must journey into Challenger Deep, one of deepest trenches of the ocean, when a nuclear submarine is damaged and sunken to a depth that no ordinary man could ever dive down to. The clock is ticking down as the nuclear sub is destined to detonate if it is broke back on line and back in the control of the military. If this happens the nuclear bomb will detonate “methane ice” in the trench which will set into action a global chain reaction that may turn the entire Earth into a fireball. In order to get down to the nuclear sub the government enlists the aid of Dr. Eric Chase and his team. Not only does Dr. Chase need to get down to the sub in only seventy-two hours but there are also survivors in the downed sub that are experiencing their own possible mutiny.
With script by Andy Schmidt (story by Schmidt & Andrew Cosby) and art by Chee this is a very fast paced thriller in the vein of the films The Abyss and Crimson Tide. Chee’s artwork as always is a marvel to behold and it brings the deep sea world of Challenger Deep to life. Schmidt’s script is very smart and intelligent and even though Dr. Chase is not a likable character at first the story gets deep into the motivations of why he is someone whom people hate but is dedicated to his profession when it really counts. Having the secondary story focus on the survivors trapped within the downed sub and how a mutiny within endangers the entire world is a great addition and allows the story to really feel the immediacy of the clock ticking down to Armageddon.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and fans of this genre will find lots to enjoy as well.
Challenger Deep is the story of an elite rescue team who must journey into Challenger Deep, one of deepest trenches of the ocean, when a nuclear submarine is damaged and sunken to a depth that no ordinary man could ever dive down to. The clock is ticking down as the nuclear sub is destined to detonate if it is broke back on line and back in the control of the military. If this happens the nuclear bomb will detonate “methane ice” in the trench which will set into action a global chain reaction that may turn the entire Earth into a fireball. In order to get down to the nuclear sub the government enlists the aid of Dr. Eric Chase and his team. Not only does Dr. Chase need to get down to the sub in only seventy-two hours but there are also survivors in the downed sub that are experiencing their own possible mutiny.
With script by Andy Schmidt (story by Schmidt & Andrew Cosby) and art by Chee this is a very fast paced thriller in the vein of the films The Abyss and Crimson Tide. Chee’s artwork as always is a marvel to behold and it brings the deep sea world of Challenger Deep to life. Schmidt’s script is very smart and intelligent and even though Dr. Chase is not a likable character at first the story gets deep into the motivations of why he is someone whom people hate but is dedicated to his profession when it really counts. Having the secondary story focus on the survivors trapped within the downed sub and how a mutiny within endangers the entire world is a great addition and allows the story to really feel the immediacy of the clock ticking down to Armageddon.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and fans of this genre will find lots to enjoy as well.
Graphic Novel Review: THE UNWRITTEN Vol. 1
I picked up this collection of the first 5 issues of Vertigo’s The Unwritten series for two reasons – 1) because it’s a Vertigo title and 2) because I heard very good things about the series. This first volume called “Tommy Taylor & the Bogus Identity” was not my idea of a very good series. Although I usually enjoy Vertigo’s titles, The Unwritten, despite the great praise, is not my type of book.
The story follows Tommy Taylor whose adoptive father made him the fictional character of a hugely successful series of fantasy novels. When validity of his true background comes into question Tommy sets out trying to discover his true roots but soon realizes that his life parallels that of the fictional character in the novels. As Tommy gets closer to learning the truth his life is thrust into an eerie world of dark fantasy that will forever change his life.
The series plays like a darker version of the popular Harry Potter novels if they based in reality. Bad news for me as I’m not a big fan of fantasy nor Harry Potter so this series didn’t hold my interests too well. The series is written by and art by Mike Carey & Peter Gross, who were behind Vertigo’s other popular series Lucifer. Although I’m not a fan of this series there is no denying that it’s extremely well written and researched and that Carey and Gross have a very huge story that they are telling. For fans of dark fantasy mixed with reality this is definitely the series for them. The story has a very rich history and plenty of supporting characters to support a very long run. Even though I wasn’t a fan of the series there is no denying that readers who enjoy this type of fantasy will enjoy what Carey and Gross have in store for them. Vertigo is always stretching boundaries and this series is no different.
The story follows Tommy Taylor whose adoptive father made him the fictional character of a hugely successful series of fantasy novels. When validity of his true background comes into question Tommy sets out trying to discover his true roots but soon realizes that his life parallels that of the fictional character in the novels. As Tommy gets closer to learning the truth his life is thrust into an eerie world of dark fantasy that will forever change his life.
The series plays like a darker version of the popular Harry Potter novels if they based in reality. Bad news for me as I’m not a big fan of fantasy nor Harry Potter so this series didn’t hold my interests too well. The series is written by and art by Mike Carey & Peter Gross, who were behind Vertigo’s other popular series Lucifer. Although I’m not a fan of this series there is no denying that it’s extremely well written and researched and that Carey and Gross have a very huge story that they are telling. For fans of dark fantasy mixed with reality this is definitely the series for them. The story has a very rich history and plenty of supporting characters to support a very long run. Even though I wasn’t a fan of the series there is no denying that readers who enjoy this type of fantasy will enjoy what Carey and Gross have in store for them. Vertigo is always stretching boundaries and this series is no different.
Film Review: BASKET CASE 3: THE PROGENY
Writer/director Frank Henenlotter decided to bring the separated Bradley twins back for one last adventure in Basket Case 3: The Progeny. You’d think that after the events of the last film that there was nowhere else for the franchise to go but Henenlotter has decided to give the deformed Belial Bradley brother a brood of his own.
The final film in the trilogy begins right after the events of the previous film in which Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) has accidentally killed the love of his life Susan and going a little crazy has decided that it is better if he and his brother Belial no longer be separated so he surgically connects them together again. In the new film Duane is just a little crazy having been re-separated from his brother by Granny Ruth (Annie Ross) who decides to pack up all the “freaks” of the house and travel to Uncle Hal’s (Dan Biggers) home because he is the only one who may be able to deliver Belial’s brood without harming the mother. Things begin to get out of hand when Duane decides that it’s best that he and his brother escape Granny Ruth but his attempts at escape bring the unwanted attention of the police. When the police break into Uncle Hal’s home they discover the existence of Granny Ruth’s freaks and decides to take Belial’s brood hostage. This doesn’t sit too well with Belial or Duane or Granny Ruth and the rest of the freaks as they set out to avenge the death of Belial’s mate and the kidnapping of his brood. It’s an all out battle between the freaks and the normals and nothing will ever be the same as Granny Ruth and the rest of her brood refuse to remain hidden from the world.
Not one to repeat himself Henenlotter decides to evolve the story of freaks everywhere as this is a film in which Duane must come to terms with his place in the world whereas Belial has already found his place and he will stop at nothing to protect his own and his family. Whereas in the earlier films it was Belial protecting Duane it is now Belial protecting his children and Duane protecting Belial and all of his fellow freaks. The story comes full circle in the third film.
Fans of Henenlotter should not be worried as the film is filled with over the top gore and humor from beginning to end and a fitting end to one of the horror genre’s most imaginative trilogies.
The final film in the trilogy begins right after the events of the previous film in which Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) has accidentally killed the love of his life Susan and going a little crazy has decided that it is better if he and his brother Belial no longer be separated so he surgically connects them together again. In the new film Duane is just a little crazy having been re-separated from his brother by Granny Ruth (Annie Ross) who decides to pack up all the “freaks” of the house and travel to Uncle Hal’s (Dan Biggers) home because he is the only one who may be able to deliver Belial’s brood without harming the mother. Things begin to get out of hand when Duane decides that it’s best that he and his brother escape Granny Ruth but his attempts at escape bring the unwanted attention of the police. When the police break into Uncle Hal’s home they discover the existence of Granny Ruth’s freaks and decides to take Belial’s brood hostage. This doesn’t sit too well with Belial or Duane or Granny Ruth and the rest of the freaks as they set out to avenge the death of Belial’s mate and the kidnapping of his brood. It’s an all out battle between the freaks and the normals and nothing will ever be the same as Granny Ruth and the rest of her brood refuse to remain hidden from the world.
Not one to repeat himself Henenlotter decides to evolve the story of freaks everywhere as this is a film in which Duane must come to terms with his place in the world whereas Belial has already found his place and he will stop at nothing to protect his own and his family. Whereas in the earlier films it was Belial protecting Duane it is now Belial protecting his children and Duane protecting Belial and all of his fellow freaks. The story comes full circle in the third film.
Fans of Henenlotter should not be worried as the film is filled with over the top gore and humor from beginning to end and a fitting end to one of the horror genre’s most imaginative trilogies.
Film Review: BASKET CASE 2
For horror fans the name Frank Henenlotter is not only synonymous with horror but also the strange and unusual and comedy as well…just all within the same film. Henenlotter first success was the original Basket Case but it would be with its sequel Basket Case 2 that he would set the horror world on fire with his offbeat sense of humor, characters, and gore.
After the apparent death of separated Siamese brothers Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck) and Belial Bradley, the two are whisk away to a hospital where they are on their death bed and held captive for murder. They are rescued by Granny Ruth and her granddaughter Susan (Annie Ross and Heather Rattray, respectfully) who run a half way house for mutants and freaks like them. As Duane and Belial recover from their injuries Duane begins to feel that in a house of freaks he is the one who’s the real freak and starts to ponder a life outside in the normal world where he will no longer be looked upon as a freak. Trouble starts to arise when a nosy reporter starts snooping around and threatens everyone at Granny Ruth’s forcing Duane to choose between his brother and his old life and that of the life he wants to have.
The thing that makes Henenlotter’s films such great horror entertainment is that his films are not just about the outcasts of society (i.e. Frankenhooker and Brain Damage) but they also are the heroes of his films whereas the “normal” people are usually the villains despite the horrific nature of his films. Although Belial is a killer he never kills unless provoked or is protecting someone.
I’m a huge fan of films in which the “freaks” are the main characters of the film as some of my favorite films are Freaks (1932) and Clive Barker’s Nightbreed and my favorite stories are The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. I must add though that Henenlotter’s films are an acquired taste as the gore and humor are very tongue in cheek. It’s takes a special type of horror fan to appreciate Henenlotter’s contribution to the horror genre.
After the apparent death of separated Siamese brothers Duane (Kevin Van Hentenryck) and Belial Bradley, the two are whisk away to a hospital where they are on their death bed and held captive for murder. They are rescued by Granny Ruth and her granddaughter Susan (Annie Ross and Heather Rattray, respectfully) who run a half way house for mutants and freaks like them. As Duane and Belial recover from their injuries Duane begins to feel that in a house of freaks he is the one who’s the real freak and starts to ponder a life outside in the normal world where he will no longer be looked upon as a freak. Trouble starts to arise when a nosy reporter starts snooping around and threatens everyone at Granny Ruth’s forcing Duane to choose between his brother and his old life and that of the life he wants to have.
The thing that makes Henenlotter’s films such great horror entertainment is that his films are not just about the outcasts of society (i.e. Frankenhooker and Brain Damage) but they also are the heroes of his films whereas the “normal” people are usually the villains despite the horrific nature of his films. Although Belial is a killer he never kills unless provoked or is protecting someone.
I’m a huge fan of films in which the “freaks” are the main characters of the film as some of my favorite films are Freaks (1932) and Clive Barker’s Nightbreed and my favorite stories are The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. I must add though that Henenlotter’s films are an acquired taste as the gore and humor are very tongue in cheek. It’s takes a special type of horror fan to appreciate Henenlotter’s contribution to the horror genre.
Film Review: George A. Romero's SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD
Few directors have had as profound effect on the horror genre as writer/director George A. Romero and his contributions to the zombie genre are legendary so it is with great excitement that I can talk about his latest zombie epic is his ever expanding …Dead series Survival of the Dead. Not so much a direct sequel to the previous film Diary of the Dead but a spinoff as it features one minor character from that film and expands upon his story.
This new film follows Nicotine Crocket (Alan Van Sprang) and his fellow soldiers who have gone AWOL do to the world going to the zombies. He and his platoon are now just trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies which means stealing and looting from those who are unfortunate enough to come across their path. Their luck may have changed when they come across the possible safe refuge of Plum Island only when they get there they realize that the residents of the island have their own civil war going on. Ever since the dead began to rise from the grave the two Irish clans that populate the island the O’Flynns and the Muldoons have been killing each other. The O’Flynns wants to kill the dead no matter who it is to protect the living whereas the Muldoons wish to preserve the dead in the hopes that a cure be found and if not a cure than a means in which to get the dead to eat something other than other humans. When Crocket and his team get to the island he realizes that he is caught in the middle of a war that will have consequences on all sides.
Fans of the zombie genre may be a tad disappointed by the film as there is very little zombie massacre to be had. Instead this film is a character study between three sides of one of the most important questions in regards to what should be done if a zombie apocalypse was to ever happen. How much “humanity” do we lose when the world becomes a living hell? And can the dead be domesticated?
Romero’s film is filled with the same humor displayed is his Dawn of the Dead especially in terms of the way in which the zombies are killed. This is a highlight of the film as Romero has been a tad too serious with the last two …Dead films. This film has a lot more humor despite the social commentary that is abound in a Romero film. Fans and critics who dismissed his last film for it being too apparent with the social commentary (the film was criticized for being two transparent and repetitive) don’t have to worry about this film as Romero has a lot more fun with the material and it makes for one great entertaining ride. This film will also keep gore hounds happy as it is a Romero film and gore can be found everywhere, it just has more of a sense of humor.
Produced for an estimated $4 million (more than his previous film) it’s surprising that the film wasn’t given a wider release although it did preview a month earlier on VOD, Amazon, etc. for download which is fast becoming the norm for indie films in order to recoup costs. Considering that the popularity of zombie films have been on the rise it’s hard to imagine why this film (especially since it’s a Romero film) didn’t get a wider release. Regardless, it’s a thought provoking and entertaining zombie film that will definitely find an audience once it hits DVD.
This new film follows Nicotine Crocket (Alan Van Sprang) and his fellow soldiers who have gone AWOL do to the world going to the zombies. He and his platoon are now just trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies which means stealing and looting from those who are unfortunate enough to come across their path. Their luck may have changed when they come across the possible safe refuge of Plum Island only when they get there they realize that the residents of the island have their own civil war going on. Ever since the dead began to rise from the grave the two Irish clans that populate the island the O’Flynns and the Muldoons have been killing each other. The O’Flynns wants to kill the dead no matter who it is to protect the living whereas the Muldoons wish to preserve the dead in the hopes that a cure be found and if not a cure than a means in which to get the dead to eat something other than other humans. When Crocket and his team get to the island he realizes that he is caught in the middle of a war that will have consequences on all sides.
Fans of the zombie genre may be a tad disappointed by the film as there is very little zombie massacre to be had. Instead this film is a character study between three sides of one of the most important questions in regards to what should be done if a zombie apocalypse was to ever happen. How much “humanity” do we lose when the world becomes a living hell? And can the dead be domesticated?
Romero’s film is filled with the same humor displayed is his Dawn of the Dead especially in terms of the way in which the zombies are killed. This is a highlight of the film as Romero has been a tad too serious with the last two …Dead films. This film has a lot more humor despite the social commentary that is abound in a Romero film. Fans and critics who dismissed his last film for it being too apparent with the social commentary (the film was criticized for being two transparent and repetitive) don’t have to worry about this film as Romero has a lot more fun with the material and it makes for one great entertaining ride. This film will also keep gore hounds happy as it is a Romero film and gore can be found everywhere, it just has more of a sense of humor.
Produced for an estimated $4 million (more than his previous film) it’s surprising that the film wasn’t given a wider release although it did preview a month earlier on VOD, Amazon, etc. for download which is fast becoming the norm for indie films in order to recoup costs. Considering that the popularity of zombie films have been on the rise it’s hard to imagine why this film (especially since it’s a Romero film) didn’t get a wider release. Regardless, it’s a thought provoking and entertaining zombie film that will definitely find an audience once it hits DVD.
Film Review: RED (2008)
The novels of writer Jack Ketchum have thus far been given justice The Lost, The Girl Next Door, Offspring, and now Red, which is by far the best of the lot. Although the film has had a troubled past (with original director Lucky McKee being replaced by Trygve A. Diessen), the end result has not been affected. Red is a captivating and engaging film from beginning to end due in no small part by the commanding performance of star Brian Cox.
Cox is Avery Ludlow, a general store owner who likes to spend his days fishing with his trusted companion Red, which is the last remnant of his dear departed wife. On one seemingly uneventful day Ludlow is enjoying a good day of fishing with Red when three teens come upon them. The teens intend to rob Ludlow but he has no money on him and they in turn shoot and kill Red out of spite. Ludlow goes to the authorities but there is little justice to be had when an animal is killed no matter how beloved the animal is. Ludlow then sets upon getting justice from the parents of the teens but the parents are oblivious of their children’s activities and Ludlow soon realizes that because one of the teens is the son of a wealthy business that money can buy anything. Ludlow then goes to desperate measures in order to get justice for the death of Red which will lead to actions that he won’t soon be able to take back.
Unlike the previous films adapted from Ketchum’s work this film is not violent as all the violence is off screen or in the shadows. Instead, this film plays upon the emotional violence inflicted on Ludlow and how that violence can make a peaceful man into a violent one.
Red is an excellent example of how an actor can drive a film despite everything else that may happen with the film. After McKee was let go so too was Angela Bettis and Diessen does bring with it the cache of McKee but despite this the film is headlined by Cox but has genre favorites Tom Sizemore, Asley Laurence, Robert England, and Amanda Plummer among its amazing cast. This is one of those films that if you’re a pet owner that once you see the film you won’t soon forget it.
Cox is Avery Ludlow, a general store owner who likes to spend his days fishing with his trusted companion Red, which is the last remnant of his dear departed wife. On one seemingly uneventful day Ludlow is enjoying a good day of fishing with Red when three teens come upon them. The teens intend to rob Ludlow but he has no money on him and they in turn shoot and kill Red out of spite. Ludlow goes to the authorities but there is little justice to be had when an animal is killed no matter how beloved the animal is. Ludlow then sets upon getting justice from the parents of the teens but the parents are oblivious of their children’s activities and Ludlow soon realizes that because one of the teens is the son of a wealthy business that money can buy anything. Ludlow then goes to desperate measures in order to get justice for the death of Red which will lead to actions that he won’t soon be able to take back.
Unlike the previous films adapted from Ketchum’s work this film is not violent as all the violence is off screen or in the shadows. Instead, this film plays upon the emotional violence inflicted on Ludlow and how that violence can make a peaceful man into a violent one.
Red is an excellent example of how an actor can drive a film despite everything else that may happen with the film. After McKee was let go so too was Angela Bettis and Diessen does bring with it the cache of McKee but despite this the film is headlined by Cox but has genre favorites Tom Sizemore, Asley Laurence, Robert England, and Amanda Plummer among its amazing cast. This is one of those films that if you’re a pet owner that once you see the film you won’t soon forget it.
Film Review" SPLICE
There are few sci-fi – horror films that try to blend both of the genres and do it in a satisfactory manner. The ALIEN franchise and EVENT HORIZON are the ones that come to mind as well as writer & director Vincenzo Natali’s CUBE, so it is with great pleasure that I recommend Natali’s latest film SPLICE as one of these rare hybrids that actually work.
The film is about two geneticist Clive and Elsa (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, respectfully) who embark on splicing human DNA with that of an animal hybrid in order to further the advancements of mankind in the hopes of finding cures for various human ailments. Their experiment goes further than they expected when they give birth to a humanoid creature they later name “Dren.” At first everything starts off as a simply experiment as the two scientist try to learn as much from Dren as possible all the while keeping her existence a secret as they’ve just broken many legal and moral laws. The older Dren gets the more human she becomes and Clive and Elsa’s creation no longer can be described as an experiment as she becomes more and more fed up with being locked away from the world. Clive and Elsa soon realize that their experiment may have the better of them as Dren possesses more abilities than they could have ever hoped for.
The film delves deep into parental responsibly which is evident from the Frankenstein homage and motifs throughout the film but it goes deeper by updating the story for modern times in which genetic manipulation is reality. The emotional weight of the film comes from the moral implications and conflict between Clive and Elsa and their child “Dren.” The horror comes when that child grows up and the parents have not adequately prepared her for the outside world.
The film succeeds because the concepts and themes are the fears of every parent of their child and for a horror film they are multiplied exponentially. With a Natali film you’re guaranteed complex characters and a human story wrapped within the complexities of a sci-fi film that has a horrific outcome. He succeeds where so many others fail and SPLICE is truly a success story 100%.
The film is about two geneticist Clive and Elsa (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, respectfully) who embark on splicing human DNA with that of an animal hybrid in order to further the advancements of mankind in the hopes of finding cures for various human ailments. Their experiment goes further than they expected when they give birth to a humanoid creature they later name “Dren.” At first everything starts off as a simply experiment as the two scientist try to learn as much from Dren as possible all the while keeping her existence a secret as they’ve just broken many legal and moral laws. The older Dren gets the more human she becomes and Clive and Elsa’s creation no longer can be described as an experiment as she becomes more and more fed up with being locked away from the world. Clive and Elsa soon realize that their experiment may have the better of them as Dren possesses more abilities than they could have ever hoped for.
The film delves deep into parental responsibly which is evident from the Frankenstein homage and motifs throughout the film but it goes deeper by updating the story for modern times in which genetic manipulation is reality. The emotional weight of the film comes from the moral implications and conflict between Clive and Elsa and their child “Dren.” The horror comes when that child grows up and the parents have not adequately prepared her for the outside world.
The film succeeds because the concepts and themes are the fears of every parent of their child and for a horror film they are multiplied exponentially. With a Natali film you’re guaranteed complex characters and a human story wrapped within the complexities of a sci-fi film that has a horrific outcome. He succeeds where so many others fail and SPLICE is truly a success story 100%.
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