Tag: 1996

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Movie Review

Grim (1996) Movie Review

Grim – Movie Review

"Grim is a low-budget horror film featuring spelunkers trapped by a creature. It lacks significant scares but has a creepy atmosphere."

First Reaction – Grim is what you would expect from a low budget late night horror, easy to watch without many scares.

Director: Paul Matthews

Writer: Paul Matthews (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Emmanuel Xuereb (Bad Boys)
  • Jack Chancer
  • Kadamba
  • Michael Fitzpatrick (Unredeemed)
  • Tres Hanley

Plot: A team of spelunkers, when investigating a system of caves beneath a small town, come across a hideous creature that can move through walls.

Runtime: 1 Hour 28 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Grim starts when Rob (Xuereb), Steve (Chancer) Penny (Hanley) and Trish (Crenshaw) join other spelunkers. They want to investigate the cave system beneath a small town, when they clash with a hideous creature. However, they become trapped and must look for the missing members of their team while eluding the creature.

The caves become more difficult to navigate than they expected, forcing them to make tough decisions. However, it is what they find along the more disturbing way.

Verdict on Grim

Recap

The movie follows a group of Spelunkers who descended to a cave system below their small town. However, they discover a creature lurking in the system and must try to find a new way out. It because a race against time to make it out alive.

Best Parts

The cave system is creepy and atmospheric which keeps us wanting to see what could be around each corner. Elsewhere, the creatures motivation has plenty of questions around it.

Worst Parts

While the location is good, the scares are weak, they don’t hit hard enough to deliver on the levels you would expect. Elsewhere, the performances are not the best, leaving us laughing at the more serious moments of the movie.

Final Thoughts – Grim is a typical late night horror without too many scares.

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Movie Review

Hellraiser: Bloodlines (1996) Movie Review

Hellraiser: Bloodline – Movie Review

Hellraiser: Bloodline extremely confusing for the bigger picture.

First Reaction – Hellraiser: Bloodline extremely confusing for the bigger picture.

Director: Kevin Yagher

Writer: Peter Atkins (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: In the 22nd century, a scientist attempts to right the wrong his ancestor created: the puzzle box that opens the gates of Hell and unleashes Pinhead and his Cenobite legions.

Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hellraiser: Bloodline starts as we see Pinhead (Bradley) having a new pawn in Angelique (Vargas). She has travelled generations searching for the family of the puzzle box. Each journey sees them interact with different families and ruin lives to create the deadly outcome.

The victims must decide whether they want to help Pinhead or save their loved ones. However, it comes at a bigger price for anyone involved in twisted games.

Verdict on Hellraiser: Bloodline

Recap

The movie follows Pinhead travelling through generations searching for members of the creator’s family to get revenge on. He wants to end the bloodline and get his freedom, but he must sacrifice different members along the way.

Best Parts

The biggest positive is still the effects which look almost flawless in what is being created.

Worst Parts

The movie struggles with the number of timelines we jump through; it never lets anyone feel established in the bigger picture. This is confusing for the most part but ends up leaving us feeling short and you can see why the director disowned the movie.

Final Thoughts –Hellraiser: Bloodline is an overly confusing twisted series of stories.

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Movie Review

Within the Rock (1996) Movie Review

Within the Rock – Movie Review

Within the Rock fits the late-night horror 101 perfectly.

First Reaction – Within the Rock fits the late-night horror 101 perfectly.

Director: Gary J Tunnicliffe

Writer: Gary J Tunnicliffe (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Xander Berkeley (Candyman)
  • Caroline Barclay (Species)
  • Bradford Tatum (Down Periscope)
  • Brian Krause (Deadly Justice)
  • Barbara Patrick

Plot: A team of space miners sent to stop a moon’s collision course with the earth discover a hibernating creature that soon revives and starts slaughtering them.

Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Within the Rock starts when Dr Shaw (Barclay) leads a drilling team on a space mission. The space miners have been recruited to stop a moon collision with Earth. Ryan (Berkeley) leads the miners who have their own objectives for the mission.

However, the mission takes a strange turn when they make a surprise discovery within the drilling route. The crew come under attack from a hibernating creature which begins slaughtering them.

Verdict on Within the Rock

Recap

The movie follows a team of space miners who are assigned to stop a deadly encounter with Earth. They must destroy a moon bound collision before it is too late. However, their mission uncovers a deadly creature ready to feed on them.

Best Parts

The movie plays into the fears of global destruction and alien threat. It mixes the two well to give us a fun little creature feature. While the effects were good for the time of release, they have dated a bit more now.

Worst Parts

The movie has a great idea of mixing the apocalypse moment with an alien creature movie. However, it never feels like there is any form of urgency with the events. This holds it back from reaching the highest levels of an Alien or a disaster movie.

Final Thoughts – Within the Rock is a fun little late night movie.

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Movie Review

Mars Attacks! (1996) Movie Review

Mars Attacks! – Movie Review

Get ready for a sci-fi extravaganza with Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! A humorous and action-packed movie with an all-star cast.

ABC Film Challenge – Sci-Fi – M

Director: Tim Burton

Writer: Jonathan Gems (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor.

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mars Attacks! Starts when Martians surround the Earth and President James Dale (Nicholson) is left with the decision on whether to welcome them or not. He listens to his aides including Professor Donald Kessler (Brosnan), General Decker (Steiger) and General Casey (Winfield).

However, when the Martians arrive, they launch an attack on the welcoming party. President Dale is left to prepare the fight back as the Martians have plans for world domination. However, an unlikely location holds the defence against the invasion.

Verdict on Mars Attacks!

Mars Attacks! Is a sci-fi comedy following an invasion from Martians. It follows the President and leaves America leading the fight back to save the world from the invasion. However, the battle is a lot more destructive than anyone imagined.

This movie is based on the Topps series and parodies the invasion movies. It plays into the idea that Americans believe they are the heroes of the world. There is a lot of humour involved and the brutally comedic kills play into the laughs. Not to mention the massive cast of A-Listers having a blast throughout the movie.

Where to Watch

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JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Mars Attacks! Is a laugh-out-loud blast.

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Movie Review

Twister (1996) Movie Review

Twister – Movie Review

Read our review of Twister, a thrilling disaster movie directed by Jan de Bont. Follow the story of two storm chasers facing violent tornadoes.

ABC Film Challenge – Disaster Movies – T

Director: Jan de Bont

Writer: Anne-Marie Martin (Screenplay)

Writer: Michael Crichton (Novel)

Cast

Plot: Two storm chasers on the brink of divorce must work together to create an advanced weather alert system by putting themselves in the cross-hairs of extremely violent tornadoes.

Runtime: 1 Hour 53 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Twister starts when Bill (Paxton) looks to complete his divorce from Jo (Hunt). He brings his soon-to-be new wife Melissa (Gertz) to collect the papers Jo has been delaying. However, it has become one of the biggest days for tornadoes. Jo wants to complete her research into tornadoes.

Bill must reluctantly join his old team as they look to get research into a tornado. However, their time together will reignite their romance and show the dangers they face.

Verdict on Twister

Twister is an action thriller following a rag-tag group of tornado researchers trying to learn more about them. It follows their attempts to get research inside a tornado to improve the alarm system to save more lives. However, the dangers are there and cause constant problems for the team.

In 1996, the disaster movies sub-genre was reborn to new levels. This was one of the first and simplest versions of the concept, trying to protect people from tornadoes. It brings adventure to storm chasing and shows the determination to achieve their goal. The movie has outstanding special effects to bring the tornadoes to life, intense action throughout and the strongest motivation to make it happen.

Where to Watch

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JustWatch

Final Thoughts –Twister is non-stop intensity and one of the best disaster movies ever made.

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Movie Review

Independence Day (1996) Movie Review

Independence Day – Movie Review

Read a comprehensive movie review of Independence Day, a thrilling disaster movie directed by Roland Emmerich.

ABC Film Challenge – Disaster Movies – I

Director: Roland Emmerich

Writer: Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind’s best weapon is the will to survive.

Runtime: 2 Hours 25 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Independence Day starts when an alien signal is picked up and the signal is coming from the Moon. President Whitmore (Pullman) must decide on how to deal with it, getting advice from all his advisors. Meanwhile, David Levinson (Goldblum) learns more about the signal, Captain Hiller (Smith) is preparing for a barbeque and Russell Casse (Quaid) is trying to hold his life together.

When they discover alien crafts coming to Earth, they witness the attack wiping out cities, leaving millions stranded. President Whitmore must put together an operation to save the rest of humanity, which involves working with the rest of the world.

Verdict on Independence Day

Independence Day is a sci-fi action movie following the arrival and attack of an unknown alien species. It follows a group of Americans who lead the plan to fight back and end the invasion. However, the destruction causes massive destruction around the world.

This movie is one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time. It makes the alien threat massive on a global scale and one that shows the devastating consequences, if not prepared. Elsewhere, it provides a movie where only America can save the day. This movie will always be remembered for the iconic city wide destruction that has never been matched. However, it does include some of the best characters of the 1990s. Captain Hiller, President Whitmore and David Levinson are fantastic, which is down to the three leads Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum. It also has a brilliant supporting cast which elevates this movie to levels most could never touch.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Independence Day is one of the great sci-fi movies of all time.

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Movie Review

Muppet Treasure Island (1996) Movie Review

Muppet Treasure Island – Movie Review

Embark on a pirate-filled adventure with the Muppets in Muppet Treasure Island. Join Jim Hawkins and Kermit the Frog as they sail the seas, solve mysteries, and uncover hidden treasure.

ABC Film Challenge – Favourites – T (Treasure Island)

Director: Brian Henson

Writer: Jerry Juhl, Kirk R Thatcher, James V Hart (Screenplay)

Writer: Robert Louis Stevenson (Novel)

Cast

Plot: The Muppets set sail in search of treasure, with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver.

Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Muppet Treasure Island starts when Jim Hawkins (Bishop) gets a treasure map from an injured pirate. He decides to travel with his friends in search of the treasure on a ship captained by Kermit the Frog. However, Long John Silver (Curry) assembled a crew filled with treasure-hungry pirates.

As the journey continues Long John Silver befriends Jim and starts questioning whether to proceed with his plan. However, his uncertainty causes more problems and the loyal crew members fight back to do the right thing.

Verdict on Muppet Treasure Island

Muppet Treasure Island is an action-adventure comedy following a group of treasure hunters joined by pirates. They set sail in search of legendary lost treasure and learn of their dastardly plans. All with a Muppet twist on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale.

The Muppets became known for reimagining classic novels with the massive success of A Christmas Carol. This takes up another one of the most popular books in history and a simple tale of treasure hunters and pirates. It has the charm of a Muppet movie and keeps the core values of the iconic book. This is fun, enjoyable and one the whole family can enjoy.

Final Thoughts – Muppet Treasure Island is an enjoyable family adventure.

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Movie Review

Mute Witness (1995) Movie Review

Mute Witness – Movie Review

Discover the thrilling movie 'Mute Witness' - a gripping slasher film set in Moscow. Join the mute make-up artist as she witnesses a brutal murder and fights to escape.

ABC Film Challenge – Favourites – M

Director: Anthony Waller

Writer: Anthony Waller (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A mute make-up artist working on a slasher movie being shot in Moscow, is locked in the studio after hours. While there, she witnesses a brutal murder, and must escape capture.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mute Witness on the set of a horror movie, where make-up artist Billy (Zudina) works. However, Billy returns to set for something and stumbles upon a murder in progress. She witnesses the brutal attack by two film crew members. However, she dramatically escapes the hands just as others arrive.

Once the police arrive the killers and Billy must prove what happened, with everything pointing at a fake. However, Billy knows what she saw and only her sister Kay (Ripley) believes her story. To make matters worse the director Andy (Richards) wants to continue the shoot with the same crew behind the murder. Can Billy discover any evidence to prove her story before it is too late?

Verdict on Mute Witness

Mute Witness is a horror thriller following a mute who witnesses a murder. However, it was on a film set and the killers made it look like a production. She must try and prove what happened and elude the people trying to capture her before becoming the next victim.

This movie is a smart intense thriller following a murder on a film set. It has a couple of excellent chase sequences, with the one around the film set being fantastic. That moment is a long intense scene watching Billy eluding capture and is fantastic to watch. This is a real gem that works on so many levels to give us an intense thriller that delivers on every scene.

Where to Watch

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JustWatch

Final Thoughts –Mute Witness is brilliant, relentless and intense.

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Movie Review

Sleepers (1996) Movie Review

Sleepers – Movie Review

Read the review of the movie Sleepers, directed by Barry Levinson and featuring an all-star cast including Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, and Dustin Hoffman.

Director: Barry Levinson

Writer: Barry Levinson (Screenplay)

Writer: Lorenzo Carcaterra (Book)

Cast

Plot: After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized. Thirteen years later, an unexpected random encounter with a former guard gives them a chance for revenge.

Runtime: 2 Hours 27 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Sleepers starts when four boys Shakes, Tommy, John and Michael grow up on Hell’s Kitchen’s hard streets. They are guided by Father Bobby (De Niro) who tries to keep them on the right side of the law. However, they are drawn to help local mobster King Benny (Gassman). But their lives will be turned upside down by a prank gone wrong.

The boys are sent to a detention centre where they get brutalised by guard Nokes (Bacon) and his team. Years after they are released, they grew up different and a chance meeting with Nokes changes everything. Meanwhile, Michael (Pitt) has become a lawyer and sees this case as a chance to expose the detention centre’s big secret.

Verdict on Sleepers

Sleepers is a drama thriller following four childhood friends who suffered horrendous abuse in a detention centre. As adults, they kill the ringleader and put together a trial that can expose the truth, without knowing they were previous victims.

This movie shows a systematic level of abuse level of abuse going on in young people’s detention centres. It does take a while to get to the trial, as it spends a lot of time going on the abuse suffered. This shows how a neighbourhood can come together for their people to make things better and defend each other in a difficult situation. However, it doesn’t feel like enough was done to expose the secrets and deal with the problems and leaves a lot like we could have had more. It doesn’t feel like the problems have been solved, just the man four getting an ounce of justice.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Sleepers is an interesting journey for justice.