RANTS & RAVINGS ABOUT HORROR - "HOW I CELEBRATED 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN 2020!"

 

“HOW I CELEBRATED 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN 2020!”

So, Halloween 2020 is over now and I’ve had a month to reflect on all the films and TV series viewed during my 31 Days of Halloween – 2020 version!  I tried my best to view something new each day but when I didn’t, it was always spurred on by family (like on October 10^th when the family wanted to do a double feature of The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993) after having seen both numerous times).  This year was a mixed bag of both films I had repeatedly overlooked (Cargo, Death Note, Gerald’s Game, and The Invitation) and films that I watched on a whim (A.M.I., House of the Witch, Train of the Dead, The Dybbuk) but what I most enjoyed about this year’s viewing list is the amount of foreign films I decided to view (Betaal, The Ghoul, The Doll 2, Sabrina, The 3^rd Eye 1&2, Train of the Dead, etc.).  This month was definitely a month for me to explore lots of different films both fiction and non-fiction.

 

First up I’d like to list the films and TV shows on the bottom of my list.  Most of these are barely watchable but you’re more than welcome to seek them out for yourself but don’t say I didn’t give you a head’s up.

 

WORST FILMS & TV SHOWS:

Train of the Dead (2007)

Jinn (2019) Season 1

The 3^rd Eye (2017)

The 3^rd Eye 2 (2019)

Alien Vs. Ninja (2010)

Betaal (2020) Season 1

 

In terms of animation I did view several great films of which I recommend which include:

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)

Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018)

Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)

 

What I was really surprised was the list of non-fiction films and series I managed to squeeze into my watch list this year.  I normally stick to films that are mostly fiction but this year I took a chance that paid off:

 

NON-FICTION FILMS & TV SHOWS:

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Search for the World’s Next Drag SuperMonster Season 2

Haunters: The Art of the Scare (2017)

Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (2019)

Rewind This! (2013)

American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)

Dream/Killer (2015)

Scare Tactics Season 5

 

In addition to having to rewatch The Addams Family and Addams Family Values I also had the chance to rewatch the amazing films of Dick Maas with The Lift (1983), Amsterdamned (1988), and Down (2001).  Amsterdamned is one of my favorite films of the ‘80s and my favorite of Maas’ films.  The Lift still holds up extremely well but Down actually feels dated having been an American remake of The Lift.  I was able to see all three on Blue Underground’s amazing Blu-Rays which present the films the best that I’ve ever seen them.  The upgraded purchases were definitely worth it (especially The Lift which I had a poor bootleg of).  If you’ve never experienced the amazing films of Maas, these three are worth seeking out.

 

This now brings me to the best films and TV shows I viewed during this year’s 31 Days of Halloween!  This year was actually probably the best in terms of diversity and quality.  I’m not going to go into each of the films individually but I will put them in a list of Top 10.  These are all films I would recommend others seek out!

 

BEST FILMS & TV SHOWS:

1. Apostle (2018)

2. No One Lives (2012)

3. Rewind This (2013) – Non-Fiction

4. Gerald’s Game (2017)

5. Cargo (2017)

6. The Invitation (2015)

7. #Alive (2020)

8. Would You Rather (2012)

9. Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (2019) – Non-Fiction

10. The Golem (2018)

 

Now comes the films that were neither great nor horrible but lie somewhere in the middle.  Seek them out based on your own taste and interest:

 

The Dybbuk (1960)

The Car: Road to Revenge (2019)

Death Note (2017)

1BR (2019)

Still (2010)

Truth or Dare (2017)

Tremors: Shrieker Island (2020)

House of the Witch (2017)

 

With this ends my 2020, 31 Days of Halloween viewing list!  I’m already looking forward to 2021 but I know that next year will be just as interesting and diverse as this year due to the fact that there are still so many international films and TV shows that I still need to view.  I hope you had a get October 2020 and feel free to let me know what you watched and what you would recommend.

 

 

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: GRABBERS (2012)

The film Tremors (1990) became an instant success upon its release.  Its clever mix of comedy, adventure and horror made it an instant success with audiences.  Its spawned three sequels and a short lived television series not to mention a plethora of imitators of which the UK/Ireland co-production Grabbers (2012) can be included.  When the residents of a small town off the coast Ireland suddenly start disappearing the local police officers discover that they was being invaded by multi-tentacled aliens who want to make them all into their need meal.   They soon discover that these aliens live off blood and blood filled with alcohol is as dangerous to them as garlic to the traditional vampire.  Now in order to survive the night and save the rest of the town the police officers try to remain as drunk as possible to keep the aliens away until reinforcements arrive. 

Like Tremors with the relationship between Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward’s characters, there is a lot of humor had between the local cop O’Shea (Richard Coyle) and the new cop to the town Nolan (Ruth Bradley) as their ideas collide at every turn yet they are forced to work together to overcome a great menace.  The CGI for the grabbers, as they are called by one of the characters, is outstanding and used to elevate the production value for the film.  There is an equally great supporting cast for the film as well some of which have some great moments as drunks or when facing the grabbers themselves.

Written by Kevin Lehane and directed by Jon Wright there are a lot of great moments in the film.  If there is anything wrong with the film it’s that it feels like it borrowed too heavily from other films such as Tremors, Gremlins (1984), Critters (1986), or other similarly themed films.  The only thing that does set it apart is seeing how drunk the characters act when coming face to face with the grabbers, which is more than worth giving the film a look.  What the film lacks in originality it more than makes up for it in the entertainment area and execution of the material.