Topic: Month Long Horror/Halloween Marathon

[addicted2dvd]

Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies (2012/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | The Asylum Home Entertainment Director: Richard Schenkman Writing: Richard Schenkman (Screenwriter), Karl T. Hirsh (Story By), Lauren Proctor (Story By), Richard Schenkman (Story By) Length: 97 min. Rating: NR Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles:

Stars:
Kent Ingelhart as Thomas Lincoln
Rhianna Van Helton as Nancy Lincoln
Brennen Harper as Young Abe
Bill Oberst, Jr. as Abraham Linoln
Josh Sinyard as Lincoln's Aide
Debra Crittenden as Mart Todd Lincoln

Plot:
While the Civil War rages on, President Abraham Lincoln must undertake an even more daunting task: Destroying the Confederate Undead.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Outtakes/Bloopers

My Thoughts:

What to say about this one? Well it is not a great movie... but definitely entertaining on a whole. I knew this was a rip off of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter... and wasn't expecting anything as good here... so that helped my enjoyment level some. I would say this is an average horror film. If you go in not expecting much then you should find it to be worth the time put in to watch it. But that is about as far as I would go.

My Rating:

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 25
Movies: 24

[addicted2dvd]

Got behind with a couple TV Show reviews... so just a quick update...

American Horror Story: Freak Show: Ep. 1
American Horror Story: Freak Show: Ep. 2

As you can see I am having a little trouble getting into the newest season.

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 27
Movies: 24

[addicted2dvd]

Tremors (1990/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Universal Studios Home Entertainment Director: Ron Underwood Writing: S. S. Wilson (Story By), Brent Maddock (Story By), Ron Underwood (Story By), S. S. Wilson (Screenwriter), Brent Maddock (Screenwriter) Length: 96 min. Rating: PG-13 Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, French: DTS: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English

Stars:
Kevin Bacon as Valentine McKee
Fred Ward as Earl Bassett
Finn Carter as Rhonda LeBeck
Michael Gross as Burt Gummer
Reba McEntire as Heather Gummer

Plot:
Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward star as two country handymen who lead a cast of zany characters to safety in this exciting sci-fi creature comedy.

Just as Val McKee (Bacon) and Earl Basset (Ward) decide to leave Perfection, Nevada, strange rumblings prevent their departure. With the help of a shapely seismology student (Finn Carter), they discover their desolate town is infested with gigantic man-eating creatures that live below the ground.

The race is on to overcome these slimy subterraneans and find a way to higher ground, in this enjoyable thriller co-starring Michael Gross and Reba McEntire.


Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Featurettes
• Outtakes/Bloopers

My Thoughts:

This is a movie that for some reason I always enjoyed... ever since I brought it home the very first time... when I rented it on VHS. Wow that was a long time ago. One thing I really liked about this... is you don't have to be a horror fan to enjoy this monster movie. My brother (who is not much of a horror fan at all) loves this series of movies. This is what I personally call a "light horror". It is a nice mix of horror and comedy. And even now when I watch it (after watching the entire series of Reba) don't recognize Reba McIntyre when she is on the screen... though her voice with her accent is unmistakable. The Blu-ray release I have is pretty decent. It contains all the films and has a nice collection of extras! What more can you ask?

My Rating:

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 27
Movies: 25

[addicted2dvd]

Terror Train: Collector's Edition (1980/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Shout! Factory Director: Roger Spottiswoode Writing: T.Y. Drake (Writer) Length: 97 min. Rating: R Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English

Stars:
Ben Johnson as Carne
Jamie Lee Curtis as Alana
Hart Bochner as Doc
David Copperfield as Magician
Derek MacKinnon as Kenny Hampson
Sandee Currie as Mitchy

Plot:
Take an excursion into terror with Jamie Lee Curtis in this classic shocker from director Roger Spottiswoode (Tomorrow Never Dies).

It's New Year's Eve, and a group of college coeds have planned a masquerade bash aboard a chartered train. What they didn't plan on was that a knife-wielding psycho would crash the party and begin slaughtering the guests one by one!

Who is this brutal costumed killer? Could it be the mysterious magician (David Copperfield) with a talent for swordplay...a former frat pledge with an axe to grind...or any number of other guests, both invited and uninvited?

Also starring Academy Award®-Winner Ben Johnson (1971, Supporting Actor, The Last Picture Show), Hart Bochner (Die Hard) and D.D. Winters (aka Vanity, 52 Pick-Up).

Extras:

• Feature Trailers
• Gallery
• Interviews
• Reversible Cover Art

My Thoughts:

This is one I somehow never seen before... or at least don't remember ever seeing before. It is not a terrible movie... but I definitely seen better. The storyline seemed to be a good idea but they could have followed through better. I found that I didn't care for most the characters as much as I should have and the basic plot I seen many times before. Granted this film is up over 30 years old so this one did it before many of the others. But that is just comes with the fact of not seeing it when it was first released. It is worth the time put in to watch it... but don't expect too much from it.

My Rating:

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 27
Movies: 26

[addicted2dvd]

The Awakening (2011/United Kingdom) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Universal Studios Home Entertainment Director: Nick Murphy Writing: Stephen Volk (Screenwriter), Nick Murphy (Screenwriter) Length: 108 min. Rating: Rated R : Some Violence and Sexuality/Nudity Video: Widescreen 2.35:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Rebecca Hall (1982) as Florence Cathcart
Dominic West as Robert Mallory
Imelda Staunton as Maud Hill
Isaac Hempstead Wright [Isaac Hempstead-Wright] as Tom Hill
Shaun Dooley as Malcolm McNair
Joseph Mawle as Edward Judd

Plot:
They say, the boy was scared to death. When the death of a child at a boarding school is blamed on a ghost, hoax exposer Florence Cathcart is certain that science and reason can explain it. But the truth she discovers is more terrifying than she could ever imagine, and soon the ghost hunter becomes the hunted. Starring Rebecca Hall (The Town), Dominic West (John Carter) and Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter films), The Awakening is a terrifying mystery filled with haunting twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

This is one we watched the other day and I forgot to write the review for till now. I found this one to be an entertaining... even if confusing film. It is a good story and has some good atmosphere. And you do leave the film still with some unanswered questions.  Though I do wonder if a second viewing wouldn't help with that at least some.

My Rating:

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 27
Movies: 27

[addicted2dvd]

Super Hybrid (2011/United States) Wikipedia |IMDb |Trailer | Anchor Bay Entertainment Director: Eric Valette Writing: Neal Marshall Stevens (Writer) Length: 95 min. Rating: Rated PG-13 : Violence, Terror and Brief Strong Language Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby TrueHD: 5.1 Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Alden Adair as Hector
Shannon Beckner as Tilda
Shane Bellegarde as Tow Truck Driver
Lyndon Bray as Patrol Cop
Adrien Dorval as Gordy
Oded Fehr as Ray

Plot:
IN THE TRADITION OF CHRISTINE & THE CAR

It prowls the streets of downtown Chicago – a dark, menacing car with no driver and a mind of its own. it can transform itself into other vehicles where it lures unsuspecting strangers inside and suddenly feeds on their flesh. But when it's towed into an underground garage, the overnight crew of mechanics and secretaries are unexpectedly trapped with a furious four-wheeled – possibly alien – hybrid killing machine that can morph, think and take pleasure in hunting humans. And tonight, its hunger for destruction is about to go into overdrive. ODED FEHR (The Mummy, Resident Evil: Extinction), ADRIEN DORVAL (The Twilight Saga: New Moon), RYAN KENNEDY ("Caprica") and MELANIE PAPALIA ("Painkiller Jane") star in this full-throttle thriller from ERIC VALETTE, the director of Malefique and One Missed Call.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes

My Thoughts:

Despite this not being about a possessed car... this one is a blatant rip-off of Stephen King's Christine. But hey... I am a realist. I realize this will happen with any popular storyline. That in of itself doesn't make it a bad film. And while I have seen many better I wouldn't call this one a bad film. It is an entertaining way to waste an hour and a half. Just don't go in expecting a masterpiece. One thing this film got right is making a strong female lead. I always preferred a strong female lead. I mean come on... who wants a female lead that alll she does is scream, whimper, cry, run, fall and die? Give me a woman with some fight to her any day of the week! Anyway... far from a great film but a decent way to waste some time.

My Rating:

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 27
Movies: 28

[addicted2dvd]

I also watched a couple TV episodes over the last few days but haven't had time to write full reviews...

Masters of Horror: Homecoming
The Walking Dead: Season 5 Ep. 3

Scorecard:
TV Eps: 29
Movies: 28

With only 3 more days left I think I am doing pretty good... right on schedule for movies and one ahead of schedule on TV episodes. 

[Dragonfire]

I've watched some, but not as many as I had hoped to...or that I have in previous years.

and I'm irritated...I can't find Poltergeist.  Now I'm thinking a friend borrowed it..just have to remember to ask them about it.

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Now I'm thinking a friend borrowed it..just have to remember to ask them about it.

You know that DVDProfiler has a "Loan-Out"-monitor, do you?

[Dragonfire]

Now I'm thinking a friend borrowed it..just have to remember to ask them about it.

You know that DVDProfiler has a "Loan-Out"-monitor, do you?

I know.  I have used it before.  Then I stopped..mostly because I didn't remember until later..and I haven't loaned as many movies in the last few years. 

[Danae Cassandra]

The Awakening
Year of Release: 2011
Directed By: Nick Murphy
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Isaac Hempstead-Wright
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Horror

Overview:
They say, the boy was scared to death. When the death of a child at a boarding school is blamed on a ghost, hoax exposer Florence Cathcart is certain that science and reason can explain it. But the truth she discovers is more terrifying than she could ever imagine, and soon the ghost hunter becomes the hunted. Starring Rebecca Hall (The Town), Dominic West (John Carter) and Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter films), The Awakening is a terrifying mystery filled with haunting twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My Thoughts:
This was a beautiful, melancholy ghost story.  It's an elegant little film, with a wonderful, thick atmosphere filled with grief and guilt.  The cast is quite strong in their roles, especially Hall, West and Staunton.  It isn't a particularly scary film, but it is haunting.  However the film moves at a slow pace, taking its time to develop the story, and while I don't mind that, and think it works well for this story, some viewers might.  Also, the ending is somewhat ambiguous, which again, I think works for the story, but some might object.  Recommended if you like old-fashioned ghost stories and don't mind the slow pace.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

[Danae Cassandra]

Lèvres de sang (Lips of Blood)
Year of Release: 1975
Directed By: Jean Rolin
Starring: Jean-Loup Philippe, Annie Belle, Natalie Perrey
Genre: Horror

Overview:
LIPS OF BLOOD (Levres de sang) was considered by Jean Rollin to be the best, or most developed, story he ever wrote. Of all his films, it perhaps best transcends his tendencies toward the poetical and arcane, while remaining at the same time true to his most personal, recurring obsessions: childhood, nostalgia, lost love, romantic quests, the cinema, obsolescence. In the course of its telling, it may also touch on such unsavory topics as vampirism and incest, but it would not be an exaggeration to call LIPS OF BLOOD "Jean Rollin's Somewhere in Time."

Jean-Loup Philippe stars as Frédéric, a maternally-dominated young man who by chance is awakened to a dormant childhood memory by attending a launch party for a new perfume. A chateau pictured in the poster reminds him of a night, long ago, when he was lost and a beautiful young woman (Jennifer, played by Forever Emanuelle's Annie Belle) came out of nowhere to protect him through the night. Later, the woman—unaged—magically appears and beckons to him, and Frédéric finds his way back to the chateau and to her, uncovering some dark secrets about his family's past along the way.

My Thoughts:
This is my second Rolin film (we watched The Iron Rose last year), and I continue to be impressed with his work.  This is another beautiful film.  It's like visual poetry, dark, romantic, atmospheric.  The visuals, as in The Iron Rose, are simply gorgeous at points.  There isn't much dialog - large parts of the film are silent, leaving us to the ethereal, lyrical beauty of Rolin's visuals - and the pace is relatively slow.  This is horror as art, or art as horror.

I can't say I'd recommend it outright.  I think Rolin is likely an acquired taste.  I've enjoyed both films I've seen of his, and since watching this bought two more (Fascination and The Living Dead Girl), so I definitely enjoy his style, but I don't think it's for everyone.

I have to say, however, that the trailer does absolutely no justice to this film.  It shows most of a single scene near the end of the film, and gives one a completely different idea about the content of the film.  My mom, who had the same opinion of The Iron Rose as I did, was so completely turned off by the trailer that I watched Lips of Blood while she wasn't home.  She wants to see it now, though, after I told her about it.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.75/5

[Danae Cassandra]

Figured I'd go ahead and catch up on my reviews, even though I watched these last month.