Hollywood Horror Movies

Curse of Chucky (2013) Review

September 30, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Synopsis: Chucky is back. What else do you need?

My Quick Review: Curse of Chucky was a huge let down for me.

Sure, you can find everything that is expected in a chucky movie (cheesy oneliners, gruseome kills, dark humor, some sexuality, a cameo from Jennifer Tilly) but somehow all of those ingredients taste sour.

Basically Curse of Chucky felt like Chuky was stuck in the 80s/90s and nothing new was brought to the table. Actually the kills and Chucky’s lines were all kinda lame.

I feel as if Chucky is never better than when there is a new director at the helm, adding its own vision/twist (Tom Holland for the first Child’s Play and Ronny Yu for Bride of Chucky come to mind).

Indeed Don Mancini’s direction feels very safe and from another time. The worst Chucky movie, Seed of Chucky, was, after all, also directed by him.

So, I’m sorry to say, even if I’m always glad to see Chucky on screen, I’m afraid only hardcore fans of the franchise will have something to appreciate in Curse of Chucky. For the casual viewers though, there is nothing much to write about.

My Rating: 5/10

Director: Don Mancini

Origin: US

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Body Double (1984) Review

September 25, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Synopsis: A young actor’s obsession with spying on a beautiful woman who lives nearby leads to a baffling series of events with drastic consequences.

My Quick Review: I have recently decided to revisit some Brian de Palma’s horror/thriller movies that I haven’t watched since I was a kid/teenager. Most of the time as you grow up, your perception or appreciation of certain movies change. It was the case with the Fury (very disappointing rewatch) and it’s the same with Body Double, a failed attempt by De Palma to mimic 2 Hitchcock’s classic: Vertigo and Rear Window.

I first watched this movie when I was about 13 years old. I was aroused by the eroticsm of the borderline softcore story , impressed by the main killing scene and shocked by the ending.

More than 20 years later, there is almost nothing left to please me anymore. The script is quite weak and drag for too long (especially with the foot chase scene in the middle that just would not end), the acting is weak (especially Craig Wasson as the lead man), the makeup risible (as a kid The Indian impressed me, not so much today) and you can see the ending coming from miles away.

Only 80’s nostalgic will find many things to be happy about (the fashion, the music, the whole movie’s mood), everybody else would spend their time better revisiting some other De Palma’s classics.

My Rating: 5/10

Director: Brian De Palma

Origin: US

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Devil’s Pass (2013) Review

September 19, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Original Title: The Dyatlov Pass Incident

Synopsis: Five young filmmakers retrace the steps of a doomed group of hikers in pursuit of an unsolvable mystery.

My Quick Review: What a surprise to see Renny Harlin, a director who made such action movies as Die Hard 2 and The Long Kiss Goodnight at the helm of a Found Footage Movie.

With that being said, Renny Harlin started his career directing horror movies such as Prison and Nightmare On Elm Street 4. Devil’s Pass is also not his first foray into movies involving a mountain settings, he directed Cliffhanger after all.

Devil’s pass is similar in its settings to TrollHunter with its team of young moviemakers trying to do a documentary about some mysterious happenings in a remote place.

And while the movie is a bit too long in its exposition, once things start to go wrong, I was gripped and enjoyed the ride till the end.

Sure, I was shaking my head a few times at the decisions of our group of filmmakers. Biggest of them all is: Why would you go to a remote mountain trail with no local guide and no real experience in mountain climbing? And of course, why keep filming when something or someone is chasing after you (but you could say that about ALL found footage movies).

I did enjoy the mystery surrounding the real disappearance of the original crew and what the current group of students uncover is actually more frightening and original than all original theories.

Devil’s pass is a mix between a good X-Files episode and an above average Found footage film, with higher production values. Renny Harlin proves he still knows how to shoot action scenes and keeps the momentum going in the last act of the movie.

If you like the genre, don’t miss out on Devil’s pass it’s one of the better found footage film in recent memory.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Director: Renny Harlin

Origin: US/Russia

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Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Review

September 18, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Synopsis: The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

Guest Review (Mel): I have been waiting for this movie since I saw the first Insidious. Once again I was greatly entertained with James Wan and Leigh Whannell who I fell in love with after the first Saw. I remember the first Insidious. I really enjoyed it. I loved the creep factor it exuded.

I recently saw The Conjuring another James Wan film. It had a certain feel about it, the eerie effects he uses and the music give his movies a certain feel. It’s almost like a trademark now.

Insidious: Chapter 2 did not disappoint. I loved that the movie picked up hours after the first one left off. It had the same core characters as last time. Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey and Leigh Whannel all return back to the big screen for a whole new set of scares. I loved the continuity of the movie. Most horror sequels just regurgitate the same thing with new characters. Insidious: Chapter 2 is a true sequel.

With out giving too much away, I will say I enjoyed it. I was wondering where they would go considering from the last Insidious we knew Josh (Wilson) was possessed. The family moves on but it’s like the whole cycle starts over. Specs (Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson) tracks down medium Carl (Coulter) who comes into the home to track down Elise on the other side. So they can find out who it was that murdered her. The movie filled in back stories. While digging they find out what happened to Elise and what the deal is with Josh Lambert (Wilson) and his connections with these dark entities surrounding him and his family.

As I was saying, watching Insidious Chapter 2, you will know it’s a James Wan film. It was a fun ride. I would highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed the first one.

Mel’s Rating: 7.5/10

Director: James Wan

Origin: US

This is The End (2013) Review

September 17, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Synopsis: (from IMDb) While attending a party at James Franco’s house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.

My Quick Review: OK, This is The End is not your typical Horror Movie and some might frown upon having this film on a Horror Movies Blog.

With that being said, there is no denial that there are a few elements of horror in This is the End, and after all, I already reviewed A Haunted House so why not another mainstream Horror Comedy to the list.

This is the end is a buddy/movie or should I say buddies, reuniting most of the cast of Pineapple Express. Those actors are friends and it shows. Most of the dialogue is classic Judd Appatow/Seth Rogen stuff, so expect very crude language and a lot of swearing.

What makes This is The end belong into the Horror Comedy genre are the few violent gory deaths and the demons apparitions. The special effects are well done and there are a couple of efficient jump scares as well.

There are of course many cameos in this movie but if there is one everybody will remember it is Michael Cera’s. He plays such an obnoxious d***head that you almost wonder if he is like that in real life (probably not). Watch out for Channing Tatum as well, who is not afraid to play against character!!

As a horror comedy This is The End works well but if you’re not a fan of James Franco or Seth Rogen and hated Pineapple Express or Superbad, then this movie won’t be for you (unless you like to see a lot of demon cock).

My Rating: 7/10

Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

Origin: US

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