Posted by Hallo | 0 Comments

Night of the Creeps – Review

reviewed by hallo
directed by Fred Dekker, 1986
_________________________

Before a single word is written about the 1986 B-film classic Night of the Creeps, it is imperative that the career of writer and director Fred Dekker is acknowledged as one of the more unfortunate stories in horror movie history.  Dekker is an immensely gifted artist who created two of the most enduring and fan loved genre films of the 80’s – Night of the Creeps and The Monster Squad.  Today, both of these films enjoy a massive cult following and have been highlighted in various horror conventions over the years.  As they say, hindsight is always 20/20, and I have yet to hear a single producer, director, or actor in the movie industry say anything other than the confident brilliance Dekker brings to a film project.  However, money rules the day in Hollywood.  Both Night of the Creeps and The Monster Squad were box office failures.  The failure of Robocop 3 sealed the deal.  There is little argument, even from those within the movie studios, that the poor return at the box office had nothing to do with Dekker’s ability to direct and everything to do with the incredibly inept marketing strategies employed by the studio.  Case in point, the tag line for The Monster Squad was “You know who to call if you have ghosts, but who do you call if you have monsters?”  Wow, that is horrific.  Much more could be said, but this reviewer mourns the early departure of what I consider to be a superb director and talent in the horror industry.  Enough time has elapsed; a studio needs to give Dekker another chance.

Night of the Creeps is a perfect blending of about every B-film ingredient you can think of.  Aliens, zombies, sororities, a two-fisted cop, parasites, college humor, cryogenic labs, and gore are all beautifully mixed together.  Dekker refers to his film as placing all his favorite elements in a blender and hitting puree.  It is done tongue-in-cheek and yet has a serious tone.  It is filmed unmistakeably in the style of the 80’s and yet is not overly campy.  This is horror at its best.

The film begins with a strange UFO and alien scene where an experiment of some kind is launched from the spaceship down to planet earth.  The year is 1959 and a couple of sweethearts see what they mistaken to be a falling star.  The boyfriend finds the capsule and several slug like creatures infect him.  At the same time, the girlfriend is chopped up by an escaped homicidal maniac.  Yep, that is one heck of an awesome beginning.

Cut to the present age where we meet and begin to follow two college roommates, Chris Romero (Jason Lively – tough to see him as anything other than Rusty Griswold) and J.C. Hooper.  By the way, that “J.C.” is short for John Carpenter and you can probably figure out the Hooper and Romero names.  J.C. is a crippled who walks with two crutches and is on the prowl to help his best friend Chris score with the love of his life, Cynthia Cronenberg (yep, Cronenberg – seeing a pattern here?).  In order to accomplish that feat, they figure joining a fraternity is in good order.  Their orientation task?  To steal a cadaver and leave it on the front steps of a rival fraternity.  When the two friends set out to accomplish their goal, they find their way into a cryogenic lab where a frozen dude, who just so happens to be the infected guy from 1959, is encased in carbonite (or something like that).   You can guess what happens.  Chris and J.C. thaw out the corpse and the slugs are back on the loose!

Enter the best character of the film, Detective Ray Cameron (a nod to James) who is the coolest cop to grace the silver screen except maybe for Joe Hallenbeck.  Ray Cameron is beautifully played by Tom Atkins, perhaps my favorite character actor of all time.  “THRILL ME!”  Those are the words used by Cameron when answering a phone or walking into a crime scene.  Anyway, Cameron was the cop on the scene in 1959 when the girl was hacked to pieces (who just so happened to be his ex-girlfriend).  He begins to make the connection to the present day situation.  Meanwhile, pandemonium is running wild as more and more college students become infected by the slugs, turn into zombies, and produce more slugs.  Unfortunately, J.C. meets his demise, but not before he learns the secret to killing the creeps – fire.

Eventually the film boils down to an entire fraternity being turned into zombies while on the way to pick up their dates at the sorority house.  This leads to some of the most epic scenes imaginable as you have a bunch of college dudes in tuxedos walking around as zombies.  After Ray Cameron busts into the sorority house to save the day, he delivers what is possibly the best line in horror movie history:

“I have good news and bad news girls.  The good news is that your dates are here.”
“What’s the bad news?”
“They’re Dead!”

Flame throwers, shotguns, lawn mowers, and all kinds of fun inhabit the last 20 minutes of the film as Chris and Cynthia fight their way out of trouble.

As you can tell by now, I love this film.  But it is far from perfect.  Some of the scenes are beyond believable, even for B-film horror, and the cheese factor at times goes pretty high, which is of course intended, but probably goes overboard on occasion.  Much of the dialogue is strained and you may find yourself rolling your eyes at specific scenes in order to get through them.  But all of this happens with the greater good always at hand.  Dekker manages to maintain a small piece of sincerity in the film, especially in scenes such as Chris listening to J.C.’s recorded final message and Ray’s speech on finding his ex mutilated.

Steven Spielberg is all over the place in Night of the Creeps.  There is, of course, a blatant spoof of the beach scene when Cameron sees his girlfriend rise out of the water, complete with the cuts being signaled by people walking past him.  There are more subtle tributes as well, such as when the camera zooms on Cameron’s face while the background moves in the distance when he sees the ax-murderer turned zombie.  That Dekker was influenced by Spielberg’s brilliance is putting it mildly.

Thankfully, Night of the Creeps is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray in a wonderful edition, complete with terrific behind the scenes footage and interviews.  I really don’t like the cover art for the DVD however.  In its original release, the movie went through several different poster and art changes, the best by far being the zombie dressed in a tuxedo holding a bouquet of roses.  If you have never seen Night of the Creeps, then by all means click the link below and buy it now!

Click Here to purchase Night of the Creeps

Read More

Posted by Hallo | 0 Comments

The Damned Thing – Review

reviewed by hallo
directed by Tobe Hooper, 2006
_________________________

Don’t mess with Texas.  Especially the oil in Texas which is apparently sick and tired of being taken for granted and used by ungrateful humans.  The Damned Thing is the first episode in the second season of Showtime’s Masters of Horror and is directed by one of the all time horror greats, Tobe Hopper.  It is roughly based on the short story of the same title by Ambrose Bierce.

In 1981, a young Kevin Reddle watches as his loving father suddenly flips out and shoots down his mom in cold blood and then turns to kill Kevin.  Running and hiding in the field outside, Kevin watches as his father is brutally killed by an unseen force.  Twenty-four years later, Kevin is the sheriff in the same town of Cloverdale and similar kinds of phenomenon begin happening; the town folk begin suffering extreme bouts of anger, turning on one another for no real reason.  Kevin recognizes what is happening, but remains silent about the potential chaos that will ensue.  Sure enough, his estranged wife turns on their son and would have killed him if Kevin had not intervened.  But unfortunately, Kevin is not immune from the force and is overwhelmed himself, eventually turning on his wife and son.  At the end of the film, the ground opens up and a huge “oil monster” swallows up Kevin.  His wife and kid escape in the car, only to run out of gas about a mile down the road.  They are attacked by the monster and the film ends.

Apart from a dizzying experience with the camera in the opening shot of the film, Tobe Hooper’s classic touch is all over this movie and it delivers a pleasurable viewing experience.  The opening scene is somewhat shocking, especially if you have not read the plot or spoilers of the movie.  There are not many true “scares” throughout the 60 minute production, but this movie is based on a message that is more concerned with a moral tale than it is visceral scares.  Essentially, that message is that human beings do not have the right attitude with mother nature and that we take for granted, perhaps even abuse, that which is so valuable to us.  Thankfully, Hooper does not go overboard on the political message that could have turned this film into another Al Gore special.  In fact, if not for the short story to help us along, fans might be scratching their heads as to why a big monster made of oil is wreaking havoc on a simple little Texas town.

Ted Raimi wonderfully portrays the town’s strange Catholic priest and Sean Patrick Flanery does an excellent job with the character of Kevin Reddle, demonstrating a man who still deeply loves his family but is forever lost in the shadow of his 1981 experience.  One of the more disturbing scenes of the film is when a man becomes outraged while hammering a nail into a piece of wood and begins hammering himself in the face until he bleeds to death.  That is “a tough way to commit suicide” remarks Sheriff Reddle, acknowledging his own refusal to publically announce what is really happening.

This is yet another a satisfactory effort from the Masters of Horror folks and Tobe Hooper.  Not great, but worth the time.

Click Here to purchase The Damned Thing

Read More

Posted by Hallo | 0 Comments

The Hills Run Red – Review

reviewed by hallo
directed by Dave Parker, 2009
_________________________

I love slasher films.  The last few years have delivered a series of above average slasher flicks that, hopefully, will continue to spawn good, low-budget, old-school horror.  The Hills Run Red directed by Dave Parker would be on that list of good slasher movies.  Dave Parker is a relative unknown, especially as a director, but if this movie isn’t a home run, it is at least a triple.

The premise involves a movie called The Hills Run Red, an old slasher flick made in the hey-day of slasher-mania, the early 80’s, that has become the stuff of legend.  No one has ever seen the full length movie.  All that remains of the film is a teaser-trailer (done incredibly well) and a bunch of rumors about dead cast members and a missing director, named Concannon, who has not been seen since the movie was made.  One die-hard horror fan named Tyler is determined to track down the missing movie and lay to rest once and for the mystery behind the infamous The Hills Run Red.  After convincing two of his friends (one of whom becomes his ex-girlfriend) to join him on his documentary crusade, Tyler finds the daughter of Concannon in order to help him get moving in the right direction.  Concannon’s daughter, Alexa, was very young but present during much of the filming back in the 80’s.  She agrees to tag along.

You might can guess what happens.  They end up at the filming locations and, to their horror, the movie is real!  The serial killer named Babyface, a self-deformed monster who wears a baby mask, turns out to be Alexa’s son, not to mention Concannon’s son.  Yep, we have some good-ol’ back woods incest going on here, not to mention the “luring” of the friends into the danger by Alexa.  Come to find out, the reason no one has seen The Hills Run Red is because it is still being filmed, with actual victims!  From there, the carnage goes off the charts.

The final 30 minutes of The Hills Run Red are, unfortunately, the weakest of the movie.  Even though we get to experience the blood-soaked saga of Babyface up close and personal, much of the action seems forced, as if director Dave Parker had to keep thinking of ways to get the victims into torturous situations.  The “turning” of Alexa on her friends did not come as a big surprise and the final thrust of the film seems to fall a bit short.  But I didn’t care.  The set up of the movie was wonderful and engaging.  By the time we get to the hardcore stuff, I was more than willing to overlook some of the deficiencies and enjoy the gore for what it was.  At times, Babyface is downright hilarious.  He literally pulls an Indiana Jones move at one point – an eventual victim starts waving flares at Babyface deep in the woods and screaming “COME ON!  LET’S GO!”  Instead of using his brute strength by killing the victim with an ax, Babyface simply whips out a gun and blows the guy away.  That moment was worthy of 3 times being rewound.

The film may be trying to say something about our obsessions getting the better of us, but I doubt it.  This is fun, scary at moments, gory at moments, and worth the time to watch.  If you are a slasher fan, then The Hills Run Red should be on your list.

Click Here to Purchase The Hills Run Red

Read More

Posted by Hallo | 0 Comments

Scream 4 – Review

reviewed by hallo
directed by Wes Craven, 2011
________________________

It has been 15 years since legendary director Wes Craven gave the horror industry a much needed boost with his iconic Scream.  Much to the delight of horror fans young and old, the franchise lives on with this latest installment.

Sidney has become a best-selling author, writing a motivational autobiography of how to overcome a disastrous life.  She returns to Woodsboro in order to publicize her book and conquer any left over demons that might exist in her hometown.  Her return also brings a reunion of the three main franchise characters:  Sidney, Dewey, and Gale.  Of course, upon her return the city is shocked to learn that Ghostface has cleaned off his knife and is running rampant once again in the streets of Woodsboro.

Dewey and Gale are married at this point and there are a host of fun, likable characters such as Deputy Judy, who is struck on Sheriff Dewey.  The film features a bunch of high school teenagers, of course, and a couple of guys who are leaders of the Cinema Club, one of whom is broadcasting a live feed through a remote headset for much of the film.  This movie continues the franchise reputation of taking little jabs at conventional horror movies, acknowledging that the rules have to change once again since this is yet another sequel.

Really, what is there to say?  This is a Scream movie.  There are a lot of teenagers who get killed, there is a good amount of blood, there is the ongoing satirical nature of the film, there are a few (not many) scares, and some funny moments.  If you like the franchise, you will like this.  If you, like me, are somewhat indifferent to the previous three films, then you will have a good time but quickly forget the experience.  There just isn’t much memorable here.

The ending was difficult to watch and by far the weakest portion of the movie.  About 3 different reasons were given for the killing rampage that ensued throughout the film, none of them even remotely believable.  Too much dialogue, over-acting, and a drawn out sequence left me looking at my cell-phone clock in the completely empty theater.

Still yet, the movie has its moments and Sheriff Dewey is fun to watch.  It is probably worth your time to take a look at, but by all means wait for the dvd or blu-ray.

Read More

Posted by Hallo | 0 Comments

Daybreakers – Review

reviewed by hallo
directed by the Spierig brothers, 2009
______________________________

With an all-star cast, a significant budget, and the support of Lionsgate Entertainment, Michael and Peter Spierig had everything to lose.  Clinging to a directorial track record of exactly one low budget zombie flick, these two brothers found themselves playing with the “best of the best” because of a well-written story that brought a new take on the oldest of monsters – the vampire.

In the year 2019 a pandemic disease has caused most of the world’s population to become vampires.  Instead of living in dark caves and in coffins, these vampires act like humans; going to work, playing in the park, and buying a cup of coffee at their local Starbucks (with a splash of blood mixed in of course).  Less than 5% of the population are humans, causing the blood supply for the vampires to become sparse.  Hematologist Ed Dalton (Ethan Hawk) is working to discover a blood supplement that will provide life and health for vampires without the need for human blood.  Dalton is radically opposed to the drinking of human blood and finds himself in a very small minority of vampires who seek to find a supplement or, better yet, a cure to vampirism.  Most, however, are quite content with their immortal status and are in no rush to find a cure, including the most powerful man in the “human farming” corporation, Charles Bromley (Sam Neil).  Dalton finds himself in an ethical dilemma; he must work for Bromley in order to pursue the blood supplement, but by doing so is uniting with the corporation which also farms human blood.  Bromley is not concerned with a cure, despite his own daughter refusing to become a vampire.

Dalton joins forces with a team of humans who believe they have found a cure but need a scientist to piece everything together.  Elvis (Willem Devoe) was once a vampire who turned back into a human after a torturous experience with sunlight and water.  Dalton is able to duplicate the conditions and turn himself back into a human.  The race is on to avoid the vampire army and restore humanity to the world before Bromley can bring an end to their parade.

Daybreakers is a semi-political film that scratches the surface of supply & demand and the world’s apparent desire to destroy ourselves.  So long as there is enough blood supply, everyone seems to get along just fine without too much interruption.  However, a lack of blood turns the “normal” vampires into a sub-species called “subsiders.”  These horrific looking creatures are vampirism at its worst and are a physical reminder of the depths to which humanity can sink if things no longer go our way.  The movie demands its viewers to recognize our own tendency to use freely all the resources we need for life, typically the ones we take for granted, and the consequences of those resources being depleted.

The subsiders look terrific, the effects are wonderful, and the film is beautifully shot.  Although Hawke and Defoe provide strong performances, it is Sam Neil who steals the picture.  His love and desire for his daughter to be safe, ironically by turning her into a vampire against her will, ultimately leads to her own self-destruction.  Dalton’s brother, Frankie, provides the love-hate character who is loyal to the vampire army, but desperate for a close relationship with his brother.  In the end, he saves the day.

Daybreakers is a very good vampire movie that flip-flops the conventional paradigm of blood-suckers into a world where humans are the minority.  At one point Hawke comments that he “has forgotten what it’s like to be human.”  Heaven forbid that happen to us.

Click Here to purchase Daybreakers

Read More

Posted by Hallo | 0 Comments

Frozen – Review

reviewed by hallo
directed by Adam Green, 2010
__________________________

You know that feeling when something is on the tip of your tongue but you can’t quite remember or put into words what you want to say?  That is how I feel with writer and director Adam Green.  He has talent.  He has a good mind for horror.  He has arguably created a new slasher icon in the horror industry with Victor Crowley from the Hatchet series.  His movies are enjoyable and entertaining.  And yet. . .something is missing.  And I’m not sure what.

Frozen is about as simple of a horror film as you can get.  Three friends bribe a ski lift operator to let them take some rides down the mountain without purchasing those pesky, expensive lift tickets.  After convincing him for one more ride late at night, when the rest of the guests have departed and the resort is shutting down for the week, Parker (the girl), Joe, and Dan are shocked when the ski lift stops in the middle of their accent, leaving them dangling high above the snowy mountain below.  Of course, they initially assume that a simple explanation was the cause for the delay and they would soon be on their way.  But when the lights to the resort all shut off, their worst fears become reality and the weight of their situation comes crashing down.

Dan, Parker’s boyfriend, is the first to take drastic action as he is convinced he can survive the fall down to the mountain without too much injury.  Despite the protests from Parker and Joe, Dan jumps.  Not a great idea as he shatters both of his legs, leaving him sitting stationary in the cold snow with no means of escape.  Unfortunately for the trio, this is one of those ski resorts where mad, flesh-eating wolves roam.  You can imagine what happens to Dan.

The rest of the film portrays Parker and Joe fighting, making up, coming up with various possibilities for escape, and sharing gut-wrenching stories with each other.   Adam Green attempts to add an element of introspective weightiness to the film by giving Parker an extended speech where she panics over the fate of her new puppy who will have no food.  Her concern is not so much about the food, but rather is devastated to imagine her puppy thinking Parker no longer loves her.  In return, Joe describes the first encounter he and Dan had as children in grade school.  Finally, Joe attempts to shimmy across the line to the support tower that has a ladder.  After successfully making it, he climbs down the ladder to the mountain and scares off the mad, flesh-eating wolves with his ski pole.  After jumping on his snow board, he lets Parker know that he will return with help.  As he starts down the hill, several wolves chase after him.

Parker is left all alone.  Joe never returns.  Another night goes by.  Eventually, her chair, due to the weight of Joe standing on it during his climb, gives way and falls halfway to the mountain before being caught by a wire.  This is close enough now where Parker can jump without serious injury.  She crawls on her stomach down the mountain seeking help, where she sees the remains of Joe who did not make it down the hill, but was also eaten by wolves.  Parker is eventually picked up by a car on the highway and is saved.

There are some obvious problems with this film.  First, the wolves are a bit unbelievable.  Perhaps we could argue that the blood from Dan’s broken legs drew them to the resort, but this is probably a place that is well closed off and “wild animal free.”  But who cares, it makes for a tense moment with Dan.  The problem is that Joe’s demise also by the wolves is redundant, boring, and amazingly anti-climatic.  He had just scared them silly after reaching the mountain and was now on a snow board.  I feel like Green should have found a fresh and convincing way to off Joe.  Finally, the conversations between the friends during the night of terror range from believable and effective to annoying and stupid.

One aspect of the film I did enjoy was the process of dying.  Dan was not willing to allow himself to wade in the pools of despair, so he took immediate action.  Parker and Joe were the ones who had to come to grips with their situation and wrestle with their thoughts as they crept closer to death.  For Parker, her thoughts went to disappointing a puppy.  For Joe, it was the years of friendship with Dan.  Who knows how any of us would respond or how we would think if placed in a situation of a slow and near certain death.  It creates a nice platform for suspense and horror.

Overall, I like the movie.  But I didn’t love it.  And that, it seems, is the relationship I have with Adam Green.

Click here to purchase Frozen

Read More