Film Review: CONDEMNED (2015)

CONDEMNED (2015) is the story of Maya (Dylan Penn) who can no longer stand to be living under the safety of her parent’s roof, so she’s moves out to live with her boyfriend Dante (Ronen Rubinstein) in an abandoned and condemned apartment complex inhabited by seedy individuals and couples who cannot afford to stay in a real place.  When a deadly virus is let loose in the building turning everyone infected in to murderous and crazy lunatics who also hallucinate, Maya and Dante must fight there way through to get to an exit no matter what.

Written and directed by Eli Morgan Gesner this is a fast paced and gory film from beginning to end that takes its cues from David Cronenberg’s Shivers (1975).  Although the plot is pretty bare bones horror fans will love the extreme gore and gross-out body horror on display and there is even some really well-done action sequences and cinematography.  Although some performances are all over the place, this is acceptable in this film where most people get infected and everything pretty much goes bat-shit crazy.  Another film that this film references is [REC] (2007) and its remake Quarantine (2008) and fans of those films will enjoy this one.

Film Review: BLOOD FEST (2018)

Owen Egerton writes and directs BLOOD FEST (2018), a love song for horror fans and horror culture.  Dax (Robbie Kay) and his two best friends Krill and Sam (Jacob Batalon and Seychelle Gabriel, respectfully) have the hottest tickets in town which are to Blood Fest, a convention for horror fans who get to meet famous people and explore the horror landscapes of some of their favorite films.  This is the event of the decade for all except for Dr. Conway (Tate Donovan) who after his wife is killed by a serial killer becomes the voice of morality and deems Blood Fest as evil incarnate.  Conway also happens to be Dax’s father which has made their relationship very on edge, to say the least.

Dax and his friends are ready to have the time of their lives at Blood Fest until the gates are locked shut and the patrons start getting killed by the people hired for the event.  Now Dax and his friends must travel deep into the heart of Blood Fest, which is populated by killers, murders, clowns, slashers, zombies, vampires, and all other manner of creatures who want everyone dead.

There are some great set pieces in the film that every horror fan will recognize and the idea that the film tries very hard to show the world of the horror fan verses the ideas of people who criticize and denounce the genre make the film that more interesting.  This is not a film that just glorifies violence for violence sake but takes a couple cues and inspiration from Cabin in the Woods (2012), a film that also celebrates the horror genre.

I saw the film during a special theatrical screening with a huge audience that really was into the film.  It’s exciting and exhilarating to watch a film with an audience that is really into the film.  It also helps that the overall film is equal parts a horror film and comedy and it never falls for the cliché horror film clichés.  For horror fans this is one of the most fun films to be released that is made with the horror fan in mind.

Film Review: GALLOWWALKERS (2012)

GALLOWWALKERS (2012) is a horror-western populated with the usual gunslingers, whores, cops, and bandits except the bandits in this film don’t die but return after death as undead immortals that kill and feed off everything they encounter.  They are called Gallowwalkers and they are a close in relations to vampires except they can walk in the daylight and they have to replace their outer skin with fresh skin on a regular basis.  On the trail of a gang of Gallowwalkers is the outlaw Aman (Wesley Snipes) who will stop at nothing to kill all the Gallowwalkers that were responsible for the death of his loved one.

There is a lot of style to be had in this film in regard to the cinematography and the production design but the film itself is crippled by a sub-par screenplay and the acting which isn’t at top form.  The most odd and bonkers aspects of the film just come off as incredible uneven because of the direction which can’t bring all the elements together. 

Snipes seems to be phoning it in doing a less interesting “Blade” impression.  Although some of the action sequences are quite good, the editing ruins the pacing of some of them.  Some of the scenes would seem more authentic with more attention paid towards the editing and pacing but then there are some scenes that fall completely flat.

There are some interesting elements to the film, but the overall result has too many issues to recommend it an enjoyable film, but it was an interesting idea that was developed.

Film Review: TREMORS: A COLD DAY IN HELL (2018)

It seems that Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) and son Travis (Jamie Kennedy) have found themselves once again in Graboid country in TREMORS: A COLD DAY IN HELL (2018).  Burt finds himself having tax problems (mainly because he hasn’t paid them) and decides he must go back into the wild and battle the Graboids one more time.  Global warming is in effect and the devastating consequences is that the artic ice caps are melting allowing for the appearance of Graboids in Canada’s Nunavut Territory where a couple scientist have been killed.

This is the perfect opportunity for Burt to get back into action one last time to battle Graboids as he soon learns that he is dying from Graboid poison (from an encounter in a previous film) and the only antidote is from a living Graboid.  The race is one for Burt and Travis to not only rid Canada of their Graboid problem but to also find a way to save Burt’s life by catching a Graboid alive.

Although a ludicrous premise (and what really in this franchise isn’t), making Burt more vulnerable places more weight on the supporting characters especially Travis who as Burt’s son comes into his own as an adequate supporting character.

Written by John Whelpley and directed by Don Michael Paul (both of whom worked on the previous film in the same capacity) this is a great companion film to the previous films as it helps craft a new era of the franchise separate from the previous films yet still a part of them.

This film also brings in Global Warming and government conspiracy and other elements that make it more topical than previous entries in the series.  I like the idea of taking Burt and Travis to other countries to fight the Graboid menace (especially since the town of Perfection has been overused in previous films) and it shows that there are still some interesting and interesting stories to tell even six films (and a television series) into the franchise.

Film Review: TREMORS 5: BLOODLINES (2015)

Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) travels to South Africa where the Graboids have returned and deadlier than ever in TREMORS 5: BLOODLINES (2015).  It seems that the Graboids have migrated from North America and found their way to a new continent and a new breading ground.  This film opens with Burt marketing his new videos promoting his latest survival techniques.  When his old videographer leaves for a more production union job in Hollywood, in steps Travis B. Welker (Jamie Kennedy) a fan of Burt’s who wants to help change his image for a progressive future.

When the Graboids surface in South Africa, Burt is called upon to once again bring his expertise to the battle and his new cameraman Travis comes along for the ride to make sure they get good footage.

This film has the Graboids (in all their many different forms) becoming more dangerous and more aggressive than in previous films which is exciting for the series as a whole as it expands the universe but keeps it linked to all the previous films (and television series).  If this franchise has one thing going for it, it’s the continuity of characters which is why fans continue to follow Burt Gummer no matter what he gets himself stuck in.  Travis Welker makes for an odd, but interesting choice for a sidekick this go around.  Travis isn’t quite as interesting as previous sidekicks but when it comes to a Tremors film, it’s the Graboids that are the most interesting thing in the first place.

The film is entertaining in seeing Burt out of his element and in a new country, but the film does suffer from being too much like the original films.  Even though there are some changes and new elements added these additions do little to remind you that you’ve seen everything done before.   This being said, if you’re a Tremors fan then half the fun is seeing Burt and company getting into a new mess.

Film Review: AMERICAN POLTERGEIST 2 (aka THE POLTERGEIST OF BORLEY FOREST) (2014)

Originally released in 2013 under the title “The Poltergeist of Borley Forest”, AMERICAN POLTERGEIST 2 is not a sequel but more a stand-alone film that has nothing to do with the previous film.  This film has a pretty standard plot in which a teen out partying goes into a forest that the locals call haunted.  She unexpectedly brings back with her a ghost that has become infatuated with her and then she spends the rest of the film trying to get rid of the ghost.

Written by R. Presley Stevens and directed by Stephen McKendree this is a pretty standard ghost story that lacks any defining traits to separate it from all the other dreck being produced.  This film is brought down by the bad acting of generally every actor in the cast and the lack of interesting ghosts or any make-up FX of any kind.  The film meanders through a lot of bad jump scares and incompetent cinematography that produces no suspense whatsoever (this can also be attributed to the horrendous editing). 

This is just a bad film all around with absolutely no redeeming qualities (not even entertaining ones).  It’s a shame that ghosts/haunting/poltergeist films have become a new dumping ground for indie film-makers because even with zombie films I’ve seen more creativity than what is on display here.

Film Review: AMERICAN POLTERGEIST (2015)

Over the years there have been just as many ghosts & poltergeist films produced as there have been zombie films and for the most part they are truly forgettable.  The same can be said for AMERICAN POLTERGEIST (2015) in which five friends move into a house with only one other tenant that just isn’t really there.  One of the friends Taryn (Ashley Green Elizabeth) starts to feel a strange connection to the house but the more she learns, the more she comes to realize the malevolent past of the house and how she is connected to a serial killer whose spirit is tied to the house and to her.

This being said, this is a pretty standard and bare bones poltergeist film with the jump scares (that don’t actually make you jump) but little in the way of logical plot or interesting characters.  I would forgive the film if it had any interesting gore or action sequences, but all this is lacking as well.  The poltergeist, when revealed, does very little that you haven’t seen before (and done better) and isn’t at all that interesting despite being based on an actual story.

The film is written by Nicole Holland and Michael Rutkowski (who also directs) and despite following the conventions of a typical ghost story it isn’t really executed in any way that would interest either lovers of horror film or ghost stories.

“Favorite Films of 2018…So Far”

It’s been a strange yet exciting year at the Box Office after the dismal year that was 2017 where both the Box Office was at its lowest in sixteen years and the quality of films was eclectic at best.  This year is a different story altogether as there has been a great sampling of films from across all genres.  I’d like to tell you my favorite films of the year…so far and I hope if you’ve not seen some of them that you give them a watch.

15. THE FIRST PURGE – A very interesting sequel to one of the most polarizing film franchises out right now.  A dystopian near-future that showcases the very First Purge.  Although, at first, I thought that the franchise didn’t need a prequel, but this film is both exciting and relevant and opens new possibilities for future films (and TV series).  This racially and politically charged film is a great indicator of the possibilities of this franchise as it continues to branch out and expand.

14. HOTEL ARTEMIS – Jodie Foster leads and impeccable cast in a film that’s reminiscent of John Wick and The Raid: Redemption but is something all its own.  Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, and Dave Bautista also add tremendously to this off-beat film that has character.  It may not be as action oriented as one might expect but it has a sharp script and great wit.

13. ARMED – I was completely shocked when I learned that writer/director Mario Van Peeples had another film coming out this year (in fact, I only learned about this the week it was released).  Without any advance notice or fanfare this film about a former US Marshall suffering from a form of PTSD in a world overtaken by gun control and mental disorder surprised me because of just how hard or a film it is to categorize and much like the film-maker’s best films – i.e. Panther, New Jack City, and Posse, this film is just as contemporary and controversial.  Peeples has matured as a film-maker (as he’s spent most of the last couple decades directing episodes of acclaimed TV shows).  Also, a film inspired by a true story.

12. BLACK PANTHER – Was a film I tremendously enjoyed for the first two-thirds as it shaped some great characters (and supporting characters) but by the third act was too reliant on over-blown CGI that took me out of the film.  The third act felt too much like most of the other MCU films and was lost in the over excess of trying to appease too many “masters” (especially since it was essentially an origin story).  This being said, there is great individuality in that first two-thirds of the film that shows immense promise for future films.

11. TAG – Inspired by actual events, this film actually is quite a very good film about long lasting friendship and competition amongst friends/family.  This has a great cast that never goes too far in the absurd territory despite the crazy premise.  There is not a weak spot in this cast and that is most of the fun in this slapstick comedy.

10. DEADPOOL 2 – Most people like the original better than this film but I think both films are equally good for different reasons.  The original is one of the best origin stories ever crafted that breathes fresh life in the format whereas this film is one of the best sequels (to a super hero film) ever crafted as it takes all of audience’s expectations about super hero films and throws them out the window.  The film is fresh and never feels repetitive or predictable mostly because the character is anything but predictable.  The film has tragedy in equal parts of comedy and the character of Deadpool goes through many different stages despite how absurd most of what is presented in the film actually is.  My choice for best comic book film of the year.

9. ALONG WITH THE GODS: THE LAST 49 DAYS – The original 2017 film was one of my favorite films of that year and this film is equally as good as the original but this one focuses on the characters and goes a long way of establishing their origins.  The film is at times a bit long because the Purgatory doesn’t come off as fresh as it did in the original but there is one amazing sequence that’s an homage to Jurassic World that has to be seen to be believed.

8. THE DEATH OF STALIN – took a great graphic novel and made it better!  This is an amazing adaptation that has a great cast that is equally funny as much as it is a satire.  There hasn’t been a satire like this (or that is as equally as good) since Dr. Strangelove.

7. GAME NIGHT – This comedy gets high marks not only because of the amazing cast but the cinematography, editing, and musical score to name but a few of the great elements that make up this film.  Many may have looked at this film as a simple comedy, but directors John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein have crafted a modern day comedy masterpiece in film-making that’s equally funny as it is entertaining.

6. UPGRADE – The very fresh and surprisingly excellent science fiction-horror hybrid that has a whip-smart script that’s expertly executed by writer/direct Leigh Whannel and star Logan Marshall-Green.  A low budget sci-fi gen like Ex Machina.

5. A QUIET PLACE – One of the most poignant and psychologically perfect horror films of the year which also happened to be a huge audience pleaser.  One of my favorite horror films of the year (in a year filled with a lot of mediocre films).

4. THE SPY GONE NORTH – This is an excellent film from beginning to end and one of the best examples of an espionage film (far superior to Red Sparrow).  An excellent cast with an equally suspenseful script and assured direction from Jong-bin Yoon.  Not a film to be missed.

3. SEARCHING – An edge of your seat thriller that uses modern day technology to tell a conventional tale in a not so conventual way.  John Cho proves he’s an amazing actor with a lot of range in this film of a father searching for his missing daughter with the help of a dedicated police detective using computer screens as the style of the film.  This film shows that there are still new tools to tell old stories in new and exciting ways.

2. BLACKKKLANSMAN – One of director Spike Lee’s absolute best films and one of the year’s best films!  Lee is at top form with this controversial and polarizing film which is also funny and entertaining from beginning to end.  Lee is kind of a hit or miss director but this film everything lines up perfectly for the veteran film-maker.  One of the absolute best films of the year.

1. HEREDITARY – Is my favorite film of the year for the simple reason that it is a powerful and uncompromising film that’s polarizing and anything but predictable.  Anchored by an amazing performance by Toni Collette that has to be seen to be believed, this is a film that leaves an impression long after the credits roll.  Every year there are good films, but few leave an impression with you like this film does.  There is not one person I know of who hasn’t seen this film and thus been changed by it in some way.

There are plenty of films that didn’t make the list for various reasons.  A film can be entertaining (i.e. The Meg, Skyscrapper, Tomb Raider, Ocean’s Eight) and it can satisfy yet predictable (i.e. Avengers: Infinity War, Blood Fest, Solo: A Star Wars Story), and then in there are those that just needed a little something more (i.e. Kin, Unsane, The Nun, Winchester. The Maze Runner: The Death Cure).  Then there are the films I just thought weren’t worth the time – i.e. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Den of Thieves, Red Sparrow, and Slender Man, to name a few.

I saw more than these films at the Box Office this year (thank you Movie Pass and AMC’s A-List) but some of the films I didn’t see (but wished I had) includes – 12 Strong, Annihilation, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Chappaquiddick, RBG, Eight Grade, Beirut, Blindspotting, The Wife, A Fantastic Woman, Mary Shelley, and Sicario: Day of the Soldado, just to name a few. 

My opinions of the above mentioned films is nothing but that, “my opinion” and I hope you all decide for yourself which films to take a chance on.  Film-makers and artists put a lot of work into all the films and regardless of what I think they are all worth a look, if for no other reason than to say “I’ve seen it and therefore my opinion means something.”

I’ll make sure to get back with you at the beginning of next year so you know what I thought of the rest of 2018s releases but until then, enjoy your film watching!

Graphic Novel Review: NANJING: THE BURNING CITY

During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army entered and seized the Chinese capital after the bombs fell and shook the walls of Nanjing.  In Ethan Young’s Nanjing: The Burning City two abandoned soldiers are trapped and desperate to find a way out of the city before they are discovered by Japanese soldiers.

In Young’s wartime nightmare the soldier Lu and The Captain are on a mission to simply survive but when they witness atrocities done to the people that they refuse to help a sense of honor and duty becomes more important to them than just simply surviving.  The characters go tremendous turmoil and tragedy as they think they get closer to freedom and an escape of Nanjing that crumbs around them.

Young’s black and white art focuses on visuals to move the story forward and it is truly a remarkable feat.  War has never looked so harrowing as it does in Young’s story.  This is a great graphic novel for readers who love these type of stories about characters trying to overcome unspeakable odds and human tragedy.

Graphic Novel Review: I KILL GIANTS

Joe Kelly and JM Ken Nimura’s (writer and artist, respectfully) graphic novel I Kill Giants is part family drama and part fantasy epic in it’s scope of following a young girl Barbara who believes that it is her destiny to rid her town of giants and the even larger gods Titans.

Barbara is a young girl with no friends and a recluse from everyone in the town who believes she’s crazy because she believes in giants and that it is her job to hunt and kill giants.  Most people can’t see them and don’t believe they exist as the damage they cause is usually thought to be the cause of major disasters natural or otherwise.  With her trusty weapon Coveleski she hopes to vanquish the giant she knows is coming even if no one else believes her.  She also has to contend with a school bully, a new school psychology that just wants to get to know her, an indifferent brother and sister who have her own issues, and the appearance of new girl in the neighborhood that just wants to be her friend.

Kelly’s script gets to the heart of an adolescent girl growing up and learning to navigate grief and life and family and friendship even when she believes she has a higher calling.  Barbara isn’t the most likable young girl, but Kelly manages to push the boundaries with his writing of the character.  Nimura’s exquisite drawings perfectly capture the fantastic world that Barbara lives in while balances the real-world elements so audiences don’t realize where reality ends and fantasy begin.

I Kill Giants is filled with characters you will grow to love and respect and at times empathize with.  Kelly and Nimura’s collaboration will leave you going back to re-read the book many time just to get all the subtle nuances of the characters and the world that has been crafted and it is a wonderful world to visit time and time again.

Graphic Novel Review: HADRIAN’S WALL

A hundred years in the future there will be a new type of Civil War in space between those on Earth and those on the off-world planet Theta.  When an astronaut mysteriously dies on the survey ship Hadrian’s Wall an uneasy conspiracy may unravel the peace between these two different worlds.  Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel’s Hadrian’s Wall is a murder mystery thriller about a group of characters trapped on a space station.  Simon Moore is sent to the ship to investigate the death and apparent suicide of Edward Madigan, who just so happens to be with his ex-wife (both of which work on the ship).  When Simon starts to believe that Edwards death may not have been a suicide his investigation into the crew of Hadrian’s Wall leads him to some horrifying discoveries that threaten his and everyone else’s life on the ship.

Simon soon doesn’t know who to trust when anyone on the ship can be the murderer and things just get more complicated when other members of the crew start showing up dead.   Hadrian’s Wall is a tense murder mystery thriller that puts the reader in the same shoes as Simon. 

Art is by Rod Reis and Eduardo Ferigato and the style perfectly compliments Higgins & Siegel’s words.  This is a visually tense thriller that also set up a complex and exciting world in which characters can have many different allegiances.  Higgins, Siegel, and Reis all worked together on C.O.W.L. so if you enjoyed that book then you will love this one.

Graphic Novel Review: BLACK MAGICK VOL. 2

In the world of Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott’s (writer and artist, respectfully) Black Magick Det. Rowan Black is a witch that lives in the city of Portsmouth trying to forget her past and live in peace.  But living in peace is not really possible for a witch who can remember all her past lives and the atrocities brought upon her people and herself.  In Vol. 2 of the series – “Awakening II” (which covers Issues #6-11 of the ongoing series) there are two main stories.  The first covers Rowan when she was young and about to go through a ritual that would allow her to recall all her past lives.  This may seem like a simple thing but learning about one’s past drives you towards your future of which plays a huge part in why Rowan became a police office.

In the present, Rowan has to contend with a new menace which is a society of witch hunters known as Aira, who have killed many of her kind including several of her past lives.  With the help of her best friend Alexandra Roman must discover what plans Aira has for her city while also keeping her day job and solve a new series of murders. 

Rucka (as usual) has crafted an engaging supernatural story that both has its roots firming planted in a detective story and that of a witchcraft story.  The entire story is character driven and the supporting characters are all extremely well written and engaging on their own rite making for a compelling read.  I love Scott’s style of grey-tone artwork with splashes of color when it is needed. The whole feeling is a noir film but in comic book form.

If you enjoy these types of stories, then this is the perfect comic for you.  Rucka maintains the same quality of some of his most popular books like Whiteout or Queen & Country or even his amazing run on Wonder Woman.