Tag: Horror

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Movie Review

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) Movie Review

Hellbound: Hellraiser II – Movie Review

Hellbound: Hellraiser II dives deeper into the lure of the characters but struggles to bring the horrors to life.

First Reaction – Hellbound: Hellraiser II dives deeper into the lure of the characters but struggles to bring the horrors to life.

Director: Tony Randel

Writer: Peter Atkins, Clive Barker (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Kirsty is brought to an institution after the horrible events of Hellraiser (1987), where the occult-obsessive head doctor resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites and their demonic underworld.

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hellbound: Hellraiser II starts when Kirsty (Laurence) tries to recover from the horrors of the first film. However, Doctor Channard (Cranham) investigates the case and brings Julia (Higgins) back to life. He works with Julia to help her recover fully and unleash the evil on the world.

Meanwhile, Kirsty prepares to battle to save herself from the evil coming for her. However, Julia is more prepared for Kirsty this time, meaning the battle with the Cenobites is going to be a lot deadlier than before.

Verdict on Hellbound: Hellraiser II

Recap

The movie picks up in the aftermath of the original. Kirsty is recovering from the event, but her doctor brings Julia back to life, because of his obsession with the occult. Now she is back to continue the deadly path for the Cenobites on Earth.

Best Parts

The effects are still amazing, proving the practical effects of looking and seeing horrors involved in the events. We also dive more into the lure of the Cenobites, which is interesting to see unfold.

Worst Parts

While the outside of the movie looks good, it doesn’t get enough into the scares you would imagine. Elsewhere, it can gloss over bigger plot points and wants to hold onto the previous characters, which it feels like it has finished with them before.

Final Thoughts –Hellbound: Hellraiser II is a bloody sequel with more lure, but fewer scares.

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Movie Review

Hellraiser (1987) Movie Review

Hellraiser – Movie Review

Hellraiser is a brutal, bloody horror movie.

First Reaction – Hellraiser is a brutal, bloody horror movie.

Director: Clive Barker

Writer: Clive Barker (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A woman discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed, body of her brother-in-law and lover. She starts killing for him to revitalize his body and escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped their underworld.

Runtime: 1 Hour 34 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hellraiser starts when Kirsty (Laurence), Larry (Robinson) and Julia (Higgins) move into Larry’s childhood home. However, Larry’s brother Frank (Chapman) had been occupying the home and was involved with a mysterious puzzle box. Meanwhile, Julia had been having an affair with Frank before he vanished.

Now, the family has moved into the home, and they have become the targets for the demonic creatures from the underworld. Julia’s obsession with Frank leads her down a dangerous path to reconnect with her lover, one she might never return from.

Verdict on Hellraiser

Recap

The movie follows a dysfunctional family as they move into a new family home. However, their secrets cause a bigger stir when demonic figures return for something from them. It sees one begin picking up strangers in hopes of bringing her former lover back to life.

Best Parts

When it comes to body horror and make-up effects, this is one of the greatest horror movies ever made. It is head and shoulders above many others and showcases the talent people had to create things terrifying throughout the movie. There is also a much more complex story going on, which leans into more horror close to home.

Worst Parts

The body horror is going to be too much for some, which even in the more twisted concept and smarter storytelling, will be all people see.

Final Thoughts –Hellraiser is one of the best body horror movies with a smarter story.

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Movie Review

You’ll Never Find Me (2023) Movie Review

You’ll Never Find Me – Movie Review

Discover the mysterious world of 'You'll Never Find Me' in this captivating movie review. Dive into a story filled with suspense and unexpected twists.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – Y

Director: Josiah Allen, Indianna Bell

Writer: Indianna Bell (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Patrick, a strange and lonely resident, lives in a mobile home at the back of an isolated trailer park. After a violent storm, a mysterious young woman appears at his door seeking shelter from the elements.

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: You’ll Never Find Me starts when a lonely resident Patrick (Rock) gets a visit from a young woman (Cowan). She needs help and he offers her shelter and safety. However, there is an unease between the two as she fears he wants something more and he doesn’t know why she is in the area late at night.

With a storm raging outside, the two try to get comfortable with each other. However, the strange events continue to occur, causing more tension between the pair.

Verdict on You’ll Never Find Me

You’ll Never Find Me is a horror mystery following a stranger arriving at a lonely man’s cabin. It creates an uneasy tension between the two as they are both unsure of the other. However, as the night continues, they learn the truth of what is happening.

This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has an opening sequence which feels a lot like ‘Barbarian’ even though things go in a different direction. The tension can be cut with a knife as the movie constantly keeps you questioning what is happening before the final reveal. It is a true masterclass in set up and delivers an ending you would never imagine.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – You’ll Never Find Me creates a tension ready to cut with a knife.

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Movie Review

Deep Freeze (2001) Movie Review


Deep Freeze – Movie Review

Deep Freeze is a bad version of The Thing.

First Reaction – Deep Freeze is a bad version of The Thing.

Director: John Carl Buechler

Writer: Robert Boris, Dennis A Pratt, Matthew Jason Walsh (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: An Antarctic drilling station is under attack by a mysterious killer. Will anyone survive?

Runtime: 1 Hour 23 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Deep Freeze starts when a group of scientist and workers at an Antarctic drilling station come under attack. The team have arrived to complete the next stage of research, but begins seeing their number dwindle when they get attacked by the mysterious creature.

However, the differences between the team become clear and they must put them aside if they want to make it out alive. Even if the moral dilemma takes over in hopes of saving the planet too.

Verdict on Deep Freeze

Recap

The movie follows a group of researchers and workers working on a remote Antarctic base. However, they begin getting attacked by an unknown creature, which starts picking them off. It leads them into a battle to try to discover what is behind the attack.

Best Parts

The location is the one solid thing about the movie; it creates an isolated environment for the characters to operate in.

Worst Parts

In the end, this feels more like a cheap knock-off version of The Thing. It lacks the scares, the atmosphere and the creature creations. The performances don’t impress, and we are left spiralling into a forgettable movie.

Final Thoughts –Deep Freeze is a cheap The Thing Knock-Off.

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Movie Review

Prison of the Dead (2000) Movie Review

Prison of the Dead – Movie Review

Prison of the Dead is a basic horror which lacks too many scares.

First Reaction – Prison of the Dead is a basic horror which lacks too many scares.

Director: David DeCoteau

Writer: Matthew Jason Walsh (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Kristof, an eccentric rich kid, tricks his high school friends into getting back together for a reunion of sorts, under the pretense of a funeral. The group of twenty-somethings is forced to spend the night in an old abandoned witches’ prison. During a Ouija Board séance, the schoolmates accidentally unearth three dead executioners from their graves. A little confused, and quite a bit angry, the Crypt Keepers initiate a killing spree that will only end when everyone is dead. Fortunately, the schoolmates all wore black. Too bad it’s for their own funerals

Runtime: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Prison of the Dead starts when Kristof (Flood) and friends Rory (Guerin), Allie (Ryan), and Michele (Mayer) head to Calvin’s (Page) funeral. However, it turns into a prank by the rich kids getting one over their friends in hopes of bringing them back together.

Meanwhile, they are not alone in the location and both sides clash over what they want. However, it is the bigger secrets for the area that cause the problems, and the evil within the walls gives them a battle to survive.

Verdict on Prison of the Dead

Recap

The movie follows a group of rich kids doing a paranormal investigation in a haunted prison. However, it goes horribly wrong, leading them down a dangerous fight against the undead.

Best Parts

The idea of a paranormal investigation goes wrong is the easy and watchable concept. We get a creepy environment throughout the movie with the storm raging during the night.

Worst Parts

The movie struggles to commit to the bigger, darker storyline, and using the ‘of the dead’ tag makes you think zombie invasion. It is not that more possession of spirits is rising; it is a little bit confusing about what they bring to life. The story takes a while getting going, which holds things back and fails to let the stars give their best performances.

Final Thoughts –Prison of the Dead is a largely dull horror.

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Movie Review

Lure (2026) Movie Review

Lure – Movie Review

First Reaction – Lure is a horror which lacks to pull you in past the torture games.

Director: Oliver Cox

Writer: Oliver Cox (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Silvia Presente
  • Kit Esuruoso
  • Joey Lockhart
  • Paul David-Gough
  • Gregory Fung

Plot: After being invited to a party by a mysterious and alluring woman, six men awake to find themselves part of a cult family’s gruesome annual tradition to find the perfect suitor.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Lure starts when a group of men, Tom, Joe, David, Marcus, Francis and Damien are invited to a party. Islay (Presente) is hosting a surprise for the young men, but it is more than they expected. She forces the young men to play a game with twisted rules and sadistic consequences.

However, her games bring the men closer, as they begin to understand what Islay wants from them. Can they solve it before it is too late, or are they doomed to become the latest victims in her twisted games?

Verdict on Lure

Recap

The movie follows a young woman who has captured a group of young men and has begun putting them through a difficult series of tests. However, they are unsure why they have been selected and her tests begin to show a much more twisted motivation.

Best Parts

The mystery behind what is happening is the highlight of the film. Elsewhere, the performances are strong for the victims involved.

Worst Parts

In the end, this feels more like a stranger torture idea. It often feels like the violence has no real direction, the games themselves feel tame an uninteresting. Nothing does anything to make you go wow, I want to see what happens next.

Where to Watch

Lure is on UK digital 2 February from Reel2Reel Films

Final Thoughts –Lure feels more like a twisted game without enough direction.

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Movie Review

Metamorphosis (2007) Movie Review

Metamorphosis – Movie Review

Metamorphosis is a late-night horror film where a researcher falls for a vampire, revealing deep historical secrets and engaging in supernatural battles.

First Reaction – Metamorphosis is the late night horror 101

Director: Jenõ Hódi

Writer: Jenõ Hódi, Tibor Fonyodi, Allan Katz (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Keith is writing a book about Countess Elizabeth Bathory and traveling through Hungary with his friends J.J. and Kim researching her life. While trying to find the monastery, he meets the gorgeous and seductive Elizabeth, who guides the trio to the place. Keith and Elizabeth fall in love for each other, and after a car accident, they have a supernatural journey with revelations and fatalities.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Metamorphosis starts when Keith (Sevier), Kim (Higham) and J.J. (Hollway) head to Hungary to research Countess Elizabeth Bathory. They meet a beautiful stranger (Violette) who joins them in the monastery for his research. However, the stranger turns out to be Elizabeth herself, a known vampire roaming the area.

Once Keith learns the truth, he learns the deep secrets of her place in the world. However, he is drawn into a bigger battle for control and attempts to end the curse placed on the locals for centuries.

Verdict on Metamorphosis

Recap

The movie follows a researcher wanting to explore the history of a countess in Hungary. However, he meets the person he was studying and finds himself drawn into fighting the bigger battle going on between the warring sides.

Best Parts

The environment and diving into the history is interesting and helps elevate the darker stuff committed in history. Elsewhere, the performances are solid for the movie.

Worst Parts

This doesn’t do too much new for the bigger idea of vampires from generations before. It has basic horrors but never anything which feels scary and is more action based. This could be a solid enough late-night horror.

Final Thoughts –Metamorphosis is a standard late-night horror movie.

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Movie Review

Uzumaki (2000) Movie Review

Uzumaki – Movie Review

Discover the terrifying world of Uzumaki - a captivating horror film that explores the obsession and torment caused by spirals.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – U

Director: Higuchinsky

Writer: Kengo Kaji, Takao Nitta, Chika Yasuo (Screenplay)

Writer: Junji Ito (Manga)

Cast

Plot: The inhabitants of a small Japanese town become increasingly obsessed with and tormented by spirals.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Uzumaki starts as high school student Kirie Goshima (Hatsune) starts noticing people around her town acting strange. They are getting obsessed with spirals, and believe they have a greater power. It changes people, leading to a series of strange events.

As the spirals start taking over the town, Kirie is forced to understand what they mean. It sees her losing people she loves and facing a battle to stop them before it becomes too late.

Verdict on Uzumaki

Uzumaki is a horror mystery following a small town that becomes consumed by a mysterious series of spirals. It starts taking over their lives as they see them everywhere leading to a series of disturbing events.

This movie is a strange, disturbing and uncomfortable one. It uses the concept of paranoia to create the disturbing beliefs the town gets caught up in. All while leading us down a dangerous path of not knowing what will happen next. The events of the movie create a blend of disturbing deaths, imagery and beliefs that consume people.  However, the wacky concept can sometimes leave things feeling more about the amazing effects, than the story. It can suck the life out of the personal journeys the characters must overcome.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Uzumaki is a crazy, wacky and wild movie.

Categories
Movie Review

Torso (1973) Movie Review

Torso – Movie Review

Read my review of the horror film Torso: a string of appalling lust murders at the University of Perugia leaves art students Jane and Daniela in a fight for their lives.

ABC Film Challenge – Horror – T

Director: Sergio Martino

Writer: Ernesto Gastaldi, Sergio Martino (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A string of appalling lust murders shocks the University of Perugia as a sadistic serial killer strangles to death beautiful college girls with a red and black scarf.

Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Torso starts when art students Jane (Kendall) and Daniela (Aumont) are studying at the University of Perugia. They are learning from the best and preparing for the next stage of their careers. However, a serial killer is on the loose and starts targeting the students.

The students start showing fear as they try to learn who the killer is. However, the only clue is a scarf used to complete the murders. It doesn’t stop the students trying to make the most out of their lives, which gives the killer a chance to strike.

Verdict on Torso

Torso is a horror thriller following students at the University of Perugia getting hunted by a mysterious serial killer. They try to figure out who the killer is, but the bodies keep piling up. It becomes a race to survive before becoming the next victims.

This movie is a slasher from the 1970s, which meant it leaned into two things more often than modern movies. That being bloody and nudity, you can see it would have been perfect for the era, but has shown the signs of dating. It still presents a mystery well worth watching getting solved, as the movie does an excellent job at keeping us guessing. If you are a fan of the era, you will enjoy this movie. However, it wouldn’t be the starting point for anyone testing the waters out.

Where to Watch

a
JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Torso is a time capsule to 70s slashers.