Horror, Action and Cult Movie Reviews (Unbiased!)

Event Horizon (1997)

2012-02-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

3.5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A group of space soldiers must escort a scientist to the outer reaches of our solar system in order to retrieve the crew and computer information from a wayward spaceship, called the Event Horizon, that had disappeared for a few years and came back, from 'somewhere'.

The Sounds

Fairly typical high quality sound design and musical score. The sound effects were so seamless and realistic that you forget that there was any 'sound 'design' and accept the sonic world that was created here.I did notice some possible ADR during a conversation between the captain and the scientist toward the end of the film - heavy make-up may have been the reason (hard to speak with heavy make-up sometimes).

The Sights

The acting was top notch, the visual effects were pretty cool, but some of the jump scares could have been more jarring and the over-use of slow motion seemed a bit tacky. Also, watching one of the soldiers scream superlatives in space kind of 'cheesed' the action a bit.

The Summary

A pretty solid action-horror movie in space. Even with some minor flaws**, this is a pretty darned good sci-fi horror from the mid 1990's that holds up well after a decade and a half.

**like the floating water bottle when they first get on the ship - it was a deep freeze with no gravity - so the water should have been frozen and not affected by gravity. And the air-lock with the exposed crew member - he would have frozen quicker, from what I know about space (I think I've been there).

Final Statement - looks like Alien and Aliens but plays like Star Trek: The Motion Picture meets 2010 haunted by The Amityville horror...in space!!! Things get pretty 'bleedy'! And they get 'gung-ho' ey as well. Definitely worth watching for fans of this genre!

Vantage Point (2008) 4/5

2012-02-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

The President of the US is about to give a speech in Spain when, uh-oh, he gets shot! The events leading up to the assassination, and the few moments afterward, are told through the perspectives of different people (or 'vantage points' of the people watching).

The Sounds

Sounds fantastic! Given the editing style of the 'rewinds', and the mayhem of what's going on at the time of the event, the sound team had it's work cut out for them. Not a dull moment of audio here, especially during the car chase scene.

The Sights

The editing and camera work are very fast-paced and the car chase scene rivals any Bourne movie (or even French Connection or Bullitt). The cameras were sometimes shaky, but not overly shaky, and didn't make me look away from the screen. The acting was very decent over all (although I though Sigourney Weaver could have had more spice in her character).

The Summary

A fast, stylish action movie that is relentless in it's pacing and delivers the action. It looks good, sounds good and the story is unique.

Final Statement - a solid, fast-paced, action-thriller which plays like Run Lola Run mixed with Bourne Identity and a tiny bit of Crank sprinkled on top.

A Perfect Getaway (2009)

2012-01-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

3.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot ("a pretty darned good thriller with a few surprises")

The Skinny

A newlywed couple go on their honeymoon to a remote part of Hawaii, where news of serial killers on the loose in Hawaii begin to surface. On their journey, they run into other vacationing couples and begin to find out who's who.

The Sounds

Great soundtrack, overall - music, effects and dialogue were mixed well, to give a great audio experience. Some music cues may have been typical thriller fare, but they were still well done.

The Sights

Beautiful images of the Hawaiian landscapes! Great camera work overall. Flawless execution in editing, and overall film making. The acting was really good, but some of the lines written early in the script were unnecessary and actually shed light on the final act.

The Summary

They almost had me! I thought this was going to be the most awesome, flawless thriller, but some of the writing made me think too much about the process of film making, which softened the blow (I won't say another word).

Final Statement

A well-made thriller with great sound, image and convincing characters. The writing could have been tweaked a bit in order to make the ending stronger than it was, but it's still a pretty darned good thriller with a few surprises!

The Prophecy (1995)

2011-12-21T20:13:00.000-08:00

3.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A stalemate war in heaven prompts the angel Gabriel to come to earth to collect a soul that can end it, but Gabriel doesn't exactly like God or 'talking monkey' humans, because God likes them better than angels. A priest-turned-cop must try to stop Gabriel.

The Sounds

Most notably, the music stood out. A great musical score, but perhaps a little too sampled from the era of the early to mid '90's - synthesized, but still well done. Reminded me of Peter Gabriel and Mike Oldfield in some ways (maybe they used the same sound samples on their keyboards).

The Sights

Whatever lacks in the way of 'exciting special effects' is more than made up for in the acting, editing and camera work. There are special effects, but in this case they aren't that crucial to the story when you have awesome actors and a pretty tight script.

The Summary

A good story with great performances that still looks and sounds good today. Viggo Mortensen plays a great Lucifer and Christoper Walken is at the top of his game (when is he not??)

Final Statement - although you might not be able to see this in HD online, I'm pretty sure a Blu-Ray disc is available that will give you the 2.35:1 aspect ratio (but from what I've read, the transfer may not be the sharpest).

Apollo 18 (2011)

2011-11-16T06:29:00.000-08:00

3 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

a space mission was covered up, but film footage was recently discovered about it. Seems as though they were equipped with a lot of cameras to document almost every waking moment of the mission. What we see in the pieced-together footage is freaky and startling.

The Sounds

sounds like a documentary that takes place in space - muffled helmet microphones, breaths, radio chatter, etc.

The Sights

realistic-looking documentary footage, sometimes fuzzy, sometimes shaky, sometimes fast. Sometimes you really have to look to see something moving and sometimes, if you blink, you will miss something. Overall, it looks authentic - but that doesn't men it would translate well on a big screen. Also, somehow they managed to get a pretty steady wide shot of the capsule landing on the moon from the bottom of the mother ship (I would assume it would be more shaky or something - but, I've never shot any film in space).

The Summary

A realistic looking, and sounding, 'found footage' horror film on the moon, with dark shadows, an interesting story and a few shocks and surprises. A bit hard to 'get into' it, but overall, I think it's pretty clever, especially considering the reported budget of $5Mil.

Final Statement - although 'found footage' horror/thrillers have been done, there is always room for newer takes on the concept, and Apollo 18 is a prime example of that concept done right, even if it's a bit hard to watch. But, with a little patience, the story does pay off. Seems like Alien meets Blair Witch, with a bit of X-Files thrown in.

Rampage (2009)

2011-09-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Boredom and emotional conflicts saturate the mind of a small town, early 20's male to the point where he goes on a rampage and prepares to shoot almost everyone in sight.

The Sounds

Awesome soundtrack! The sound-bite layered media coverage combined with the well-placed music and overlapping, natural dialogue served this movie well. The soundtrack added a gripping feel to the back and forth visuals, and helped glue the movie together.

The Sights

At first, I was thinking: "Stop shaking the damn camera at the dinner table!". Then, as the movie progressed, the shaky cam added to the action in a frenetic way. The close-ups of the masked escapade were quite stunning. But, the dinner-table shaky cam still bugged me.

The Summary

Well-made blood-soaked thriller drama. The pacing was great and the characters were pretty natural, resulting in believable roles, for the most part. Don't take this movie at face value, it's more intelligent than you think.

Final Statement - this is not just carnage for the sake of carnage! This is a well thought out story that should stop and make us think about the society we live in, how we treat people and what kind of results we'll see when the shit hits the fan

Valhalla Rising (2009)

2011-06-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot
(hidden gem)

The Skinny

A captured warrior, with one good eye, cannot be left to chance. If he can, he will. Escaping his captors, he meets up with Scottish Christians, who wish to rid the world of heathens, with a young boy who serves as his voice, as he is a mute (and nick-named 'One Eye'). One Eye accompanies his new friends on a dark journey to reclaim the Holy Land..

The Sounds

The DVD box says 'mesmerizing' and it is spot on! This film is a dark, ambient journey from a harsh landscape to a lush wilderness with hidden elements. The soundtrack really does help guide you through beautiful images and brutal conflicts.

The Sights

Awesome cinematography! The images are quite astounding and picturesque. The flash-forwards (or 'visions', or whatever) are challenging to watch, because nothing is explained, but the composition is artfully crafted. The blood sometimes seemed like CGI, but it didn't totally ruin it for me. What an awesome use of a 35mm film camera!

The Summary

A beautifully gritty, epic journey from the hellish existence of one warrior to the hell of a group of Christians who can't seem to make a dent in the primitive, local tribe on a heavenly landscape

Final Statement - an ambient journey from a brutal landscape to a beautiful paradise, led by a mute, one-eyed warrior that challenges the mind and ear. Worth collecting! A true hidden gem. A great period piece (1000 A.D.) with awesome wardrobe, great cinematography, great sound design and little dialogue. Own it!

The Collector (2009)

2011-06-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

4 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot
(Hidden gem alert!)

The Skinny

A contractor working on a house in the middle of nowhere desperately needs to raise some cash in a hurry, so he breaks into the house to steal something valuable while the homeowners are away. He wasn't counting on having a visitor.

The Sounds

A great soundtrack! Although a couple of tunes didn't seem to fit because they weren't the right mood (can happen with vocal songs), the mixture of the industrial pop music and underscore were edited in a very slick manner. The score makes the viewer very tense at the right moments. Most of the music was dead on!

The Sights

Grisly! I covered my face and peeked through my fingers a few times (this NEVER happens to me!). You've gotta love the gore to sit through this. It's mixed with great camera work, great acting and very intense editing where the pace is heart-pounding for a great deal of the film. Intense to the max!

The Summary

A slick production with true intensity, a fast pace, just enough gore and soft tissue damage. A bloody good time for true horror fans who want a great thrill ride. It's actually more of a bloody thriller. I still don't completely understand the whole 'red box' thing, though. Oh well, there will be a sequel called The Collection.

Final Statement - felt like I was Home Alone with Jigsaw and Leatherface, with no humor and deadlier traps. If you liked the Saw series, yer gonna love this! If you liked Home Alone, this may upset you.

Six String Samurai (1998)

2011-05-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

In a post-apocalyptic world, the King of Lost Vegas has died and thus begins the race of guitar swingers to fill the role, if they can survive the wastelands. 'Buddy', the sword-wielding, six-string samurai, joins the race.

The Sounds

If you like cool music with rock-a-billy, rock and polka beats, this film is for you. If you like campy dialogue replacement, even more so.

The Sights

Very cool camera work! This has cult classic written all over it. It's meant to be dark and funny. A classic low budget, cult film with every penny well spent. This shows that much can be done with less.The camera angles are interesting to say the least.

The Summary

A funny, campy action movie with great visuals and cool music. Looks like Mad Max meets Crossroads.

Final Statement - If you like dust, guitars, cool music, interesting visuals, neat weapons and quirky humor, this film is for you. A true hidden gem! Saying too much will take the edge off, so please watch and enjoy - looks great on DVD!

Blood River (2009)

2011-05-13T22:42:00.000-07:00

Title - 4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Hidden gem alert!

The Skinny

A happy loving couple drive through the Nevada desert for a family visit, but they have a blowout and must walk through the unforgiving heat of the desert to the next town, where they eventually meet a loner, from everywhere, on his way to somewhere. True colors are revealed as the loner's provocative ways bring light to darkness and darkness to light.

The Sounds

Perfect music score! Wow! The entire soundtrack perfectly complimented the story and held the feeling of dread and despair, while not drawing too much attention to itself - mesmerizing yet ambient. I was worried about the sound at the beginning because it seemed like the dialogue editing was a bit off, with the changing background room tones, making it seem like it was done on a lower budget, but then it didn't seem to matter after about ten minutes.

The Sights

I assumed this film was done on a low budget, but I couldn't tell. I found it in a bargain bin at Zellers for five bucks, but I'm glad I took the chance. It has the look of big budget and the acting, overall, was wayyyyy above average. In fact, I look forward to seeing these actors again. Holy crap! I found out that the 'loner' was in the movie Limitless, and I wasn't surprised. The cinematography was simply awesome as well, with the use of close-ups, beautiful wide shots and detail. The editing was tight and professional.

The Summary

It seemed to take a while to unfold the story, but in the end, it makes sense why that was. The story is great and with only a tiny bit of patience, this film delivers on all levels. I would have been happier with a 100 minute version, but it was still worth waiting for the climactic ending.

Final Statement - looks great, sounds great, this film is a hidden gem of a thriller. Take the chance and enjoy a great story. I so look forward to seeing more films by Adam Mason.

Antichrist (2009)

2011-05-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

? /5 (no rating, explanation below!)

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A couple who have recently lost a child, retreat to their cabin in the woods they call 'Eden' where their new relationship becomes...ummm...complicated...and painful.

The Sounds

Deep droning noises dominate the soundtrack in between the sparse sound-scape of dialogue and natural background sounds. The opening scene sounds quite beautiful with the operatic female voice singing over the slow-motion, stunning black and white visuals which penetrate your mind.

The Sights

Beautifully shot, this film is art at times and confusion at others. From jump cuts to super slo-mo, to unspeakable actions, this film challenges you to watch the story unfold. Once it unfolds, you may feel as if you've been through an emotional centrifuge of epic proportions. I can't ruin anything here, but I must warn the squeamish to be careful (ie; don't watch this if you are deeply affected by the horrific results of severe mental anguish).

The Summary

Starts off slow but beautiful, ends up faster but ugly. Giving this a star rating of any sort would mislead you; it is a great piece of art, but highly offensive to those who can't bear to watch the base brutality humans can be capable of.

Final Statement - it may appear as partly softcore p*rn mixed with the dealing of a mental disorder, directed by a misogynist, with a tiny bit of hardcore thrown on top (both sex and torture), but it really plays as a beautifully ugly art piece with complex layers and disturbing visuals. This could hang on a wall, in the dark art gallery of the damned.

13: Game of Death (2008)

2011-05-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

3 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A timid salesman loses his job, realizes how in debt he is, then gets a mysterious phone call with an offering to eliminate his financial woes if he completes 13 challenges. Now involved in a reality game show, he will find out if he's strong enough to finish the game. The clock is ticking.

The Sounds

At the start, I was worried that the action music would sound like 80's electronic dance music, but it turned into a more cinematic score with some clever editing which sometimes adds humor to the story. Sometimes the Foley sound effects seemed a little funny.

The Sights

Great camera work. There wasn't a lot of gore, and some of it was just funny. There were some brutal fight scenes that were realistic, but I was expecting something more extreme. The editing was fairly smooth and the effects weren't bad, but sometimes they were on screen too long to be believable. The acting was was good in a Verhoeven kind of way.

The Summary

An fairly well produced action movie with some brutal violence and humor which seemed to draw a lot of influence from other well known North American movies (this is from Thailand with English subtitles).

Final Statement - take some Saw, add to a bowl of Die Hard 3, mix in a touch of Battle Royale, a pinch of Matrix and sprinkle a wee bit of NBK and Se7en on top. You might learn something about yourself that you had forgotten about. Hey, where are all the cameras?

Limitless (2011)

2011-04-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

5/5
Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
An unmotivated writer, who can't seem to focus on writing, or getting his life together, meets an old acquaintance by chance and gets introduced to a drug that gets him super-motivated to do much more than just write a best seller. But, at what cost?

The Sounds
Wow! This is a sound designer's dream. A seamless soundtrack that perfectly blends with the visuals and completely supports the awesome storytelling. Both the music and sound design are well balanced, smooth and never annoying.

The Sights
This is what cinema is all about - a visual experience that transcends the banalities of everyday existence (I just wanted to use 'transcend' and 'banality' in the same sentence); pure escapism told with color, edge, warped idealism and a twist of humor. Limitless is full of very original visual effects that grab you by the hair and take you on a wild ride when the time is right.

The Summary
I can see the future: all the cool kids will buy the BluRay, DVD (or PSP) and store a pristine copy of it for years to come. Heck, I'll bet there is even a video game on the way, one I actually wouldn't mind playing!

Final Statement - we normally avoid reviewing current, big budget movies, but this one is an exception. The writing is strong, the characters are great and the ending is solid. This is simply a audio-visual feast perfectly fit for a theatrical experience (or even a decent home theater). Action-thrillers don't get much better than this!

Defendor (2009)

2011-04-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

3.5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A simple, childish man leads a complex life as 'Defendor', a marble-toting superhero after dark. Captain Industry, an evil crime boss, perhaps, must be taken down and Defendor is just the man to try it, although he might get in trouble.

The Sounds

The music is totally fantastic and suits the picture well. It enhances moods at the right times and gives it a deserved grandeur. The movie was well mixed in general.

The Sights

Great production values and acting makes this dark comedy action movie rock, and if you're in the right mood, it might just make you cry. Defendor's outfit is hilarious, yet seemingly appropriate. The action is well done and there is very little need for overly fancy visual effects.

The Summary

A fun and twisted take on the everyday superhero with no powers, but inventive weapons. It's almost as if the writer's of Slingblade and Mystery Men got giddy and wrote a new McGyver movie.

Final Statement - you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sympathize. A well produced movie of a wanna-be superhero with no clue and no powers who somehow leaves his mark while trying to clean up society with lime juice, marbles and a helmet cam.

Best Quote: "Please God ! Not the Lime juice !"

Daybreakers (2010)

2011-04-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Since most of the world in 2019 has been turned into vampires, they're running out of human blood, and if they feed upon themselves, they get really gnarly-looking, grow bat wings and then feed upon each other, unless someone finds a solution.

The Sounds

Heavy score right from the get-go. It's a serious soundtrack with good music that has X-files written all over it at times, then big, epic, pounding, frenzy at other times. The sound effects are all very big-budget and flawless. Good sounding movie, especially the guns, crossbows, 'splats' and burning vampires. I wasn't crazy about the 'crazy-vamp' screams; they could have been more ferocious.

The Sights

Looks like Blade directed a vampire movie in Metroplis and paid homage to Coma and The Matrix. It has a lot of Film Noir elements as well, as evident in the use of darkness and shadows, and city street shots at night. Although the acting is very good all across the board, I found Willem DaFoe's accent a little clunky. The special effects are all quite cool and there is a fair amount of blood splatter.

The Summary

A pretty good attempt at a tired genre.The entrapment twist near the end was a little too 'easy' to have any sort of dramatic impact, but I guess time was running out. The fault is in the writing, not the acting entirely. Predictable moments aside, it was a pretty good movie. I think this film is really about the stronghold that Big Pharma has over the Natural Cures movement; a real David and Goliath romp.

Final Statement - a slick production which looks great, sounds great, has good performances and really nifty visual effects, but is a little bit light-handed on the story, especially near the end. The overall plot, twists, etc are simple and believable, but could have had a little more complexity thrown in for dramatic effect.

Favorite quote: "Bein' human in a world full of vampires is about as safe as barebackin' a five dollar whore."

The Crazies (2010)

2011-04-06T02:49:00.000-07:00

3.5/5
Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

The residents of a small town start to go nuts. In fact, one may even say 'crazy'. A small handful of the unaffected try to escape before it happens to them (and to avoid getting killed by crazy zombie-types).

The Sounds

Great soundtrack. The music score was perfectly tense and creepy, and the sound effects were riveting at times. Oh, and I could hear all of the dialogue!

The Sights

A very slick looking movie with some awesome action sequences and genuinely scary moments. The main characters are on the run and sometimes the surprises are formulaic and predictable, but they are still well-executed.

The Summary

A great modern horror that feels like The Mist without the mist, War of the Worlds without the spaceships and The Hills Have Eyes without eyes in the hills.

Final Statement - the original is worth seeing because it was a gem of an idea, but this is a well-needed modern re-telling of a horror movie classic.

House of the Devil (2009)

2011-04-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A college sophomore needs to raise money to move out of her den-of-iniquity dorm room, so she answers a babysitting ad posted at her campus. The 'babysitting' request is urgent and will pay well, but she must make her way to an isolated mansion and deal with the creepy man-of-the-house (excellently portrayed by Tom Noonan).

The Sounds

When I saw the credit for Sound Designer and heard very little in terms of sound design for more than the first half of the film, I was curious...until the last act, where it all made sense. The sound design is subtle, creepy and very well done overall. I didn't like the music being so loud when the babysitter wears the headphones in the house, because she's waiting for a pizza, so how could she hear the door? Geez! Oh, and it's a period piece (1980's), so the music may bug some people.

The Sights

The opening style of the credits suggests a different kind of film than what is actually shown, so I was a bit let down by it. Over all, the camera work and acting were really well done, but because of the slow pacing, that's all you get, and some folks need more than that. But, there are a couple of gory parts past the half way point, one of which is a nice, darkly humorous surprise.

The Summary

It looks and feels just like the Devil worship films of the 70's, as it wants to be, so expect a very slow build-up and a very climactic ending. Calling it 'House of the Devil' gives away the story so the only real surprise is at the very end. Tom Noonan is simply awesome and believable - wow, that guy can act and the filmmaker (Ti West) is truly lucky to have him act in this film.

Final Statement - a better than average, somewhat predictable indie horror that builds up slowly, has great sound, acting and visuals, but requires patience to watch (but it's good).

Centurion (2009)

2011-03-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

3.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A legion of Roman soldiers gets ambushed on a mission near Scotland in AD 117. A handful of the men survive and must make it out of the harsh wilderness before the barbaric Picts hunt them down and chop off their heads, then put them on pikes as souvenirs.

The Sounds

Everything sounds very sharp, choppy and slashy. Tons of metal weapons cut through flesh and bone throughout the movie which makes it sound like it would hurt a lot to be engaged in such battles. Ouch! The music is as epic as the picture and serves it well, without ruining certain outcomes too much (ie; you can tell by the music that the fireball ambush won't end well). Great sound overall, except some horses sounded too loud considering the wide angles you sometimes see them in.

The Sights

"Gritty and brutal." says the DVD box and I couldn't agree more. Has the feeling of Black Death, King Arthur, Pathfinder and Galdiator all rolled into one. You see a lot of dirt, can smell the stench off the screen but there is a lot more blood and battle in this one, which makes it worth seeing. I'm never crazy about CGI blood, though, which seems plentiful in this film.

The Summary

This is a guy's film with some gory battle scenes. The acting is top-notch and the visuals are quite astounding, even with the fast, choppy editing during the battle scenes, which is all too common these days, but is actually well-executed here. I live vicariously through Neil Marshall and I look forward to all of his movies, but I don't feel this is the best he has done; however, it is just as solid as any other brutal, epic, Roman period piece and you get exactly what you expect, but with more blood.

Final Statement - a brutal, epic action-adventure which seems authentic and accurate enough to suspend your disbelief, and perhaps you'll buy a copy on Blu Ray because it will look and sound fantastic on your HD television.

Man Bites Dog (1992)

2011-03-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

4 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A film crew follows a serial killer around as he explains his craft, steals, gets drunk and discusses the arts, society and life in general. He also tries new 'methods' and educates the crew on how certain killing techniques are carried out.

The Sounds

Sounds like a documentary, but with lack of musical score.

The Sights

Looks like a documentary shot on black and white film. Some of the sequences are quite hilarious, if you are a little bent.

The Summary

Very good acting and strong story overshadow the lean budget this looks to have been made on. Just goes to show you that good actors, strong writing and clever editing can produce a winner as much as any big budget production can.

Final Statement - a funny, dark and twisted gem of a movie that belongs in the collections of those who love cinema of the macabre.

The Human Centipede (2009)

2011-02-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A very sick and twisted German surgeon longs to create his ultimate fantasy pet, but he must first collect the specimens needed. Shortly after he begins, a couple of American tourists find his isolated house in the forest wanting to use his phone. He welcomes them in, and thus his experiment begins.

The Sounds

The soundtrack is completely overshadowed by the disturbing visuals. There are some good musical moments and some disgusting sound effects, but the visuals are what this film is all about.

The Sights

Aside from saying: "Ewwww!!" over and over again, the camera work and production values are surprisingly impressive. I imagine many people will not be able to watch this film due to the graphic, disgusting content, but it is the idea alone that makes one squeamish as the faces and fannies are mostly covered by bandages.

The Summary - truly one of the most disgusting ideas I have ever seen produced, but with surprising quality in picture, acting and editing. I can see this becoming a cult classic as it is a very original horror film that may start off with conventional motifs, but takes a turn down a darker path than most would dare to go. Very daring!

Dream Team - Inception, The Cell, Dreamscape & Brain Dead

2011-01-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

The Skinny

Four movies about dreams which would make an awesome quadruple feature on a long, cold winter night.

Dreamscape (1984) - 3/5

From an IMDB review: "A man who can enter and manipulate people's dreams is recruited by a government agency to help cure the President of the United States of his nightmares about nuclear war but finds a conspiracy is hiding the true reason behind the research."

Frankenfoot's two cents: a great thrill ride that goes deep into the subconscious, where secrets unfold, demons appear and manipulation is the order of the day. Although dated, the ideas and dream sequences are very cool to watch.

Brain Dead (1990) - 3/5

From an IMDB review: "In a showdown of man vs. machine, Dr. Rex Martin plunges into a chaotic nightmare trying to save his mind from the megalomaniacal corporation!"

Frankenfoot's two cents: what appears to be a low budget sci-fi thriller turns out to be a great concept film where we don't know who is actually living or dead, but again, manipulation rears its ugly head!

The Cell (2000) - 3.5/5

From IMDB: "An FBI agent persuades a social worker, who is adept with a new experimental technology, to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to learn where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim"

Frankenfoot's two cents: pretty freakin' wild imagery partially based upon the artwork of Damien Hurst. Again, we go into somebody's mind to discover secrets in order to solve problems.

Inception (2010) - 5/5

If you haven't heard already, we enter the mind of a an energy conglomerate's heir in order to alter the outcome of his current decision about the future of the empire, which is less than favorable in the eyes of his only, but sinking competition.

Great film overall, with a big, fat budget to really make the dream world possibilities endless and astounding. This time, we get different levels of the dreamworld, where we actually need to keep a pen handy so we can jot down the 'rules' as we go along. Better yet, just watch it twice, if not three times to fully grasp all of the details.

The Wicker Man (1973)

2010-12-30T09:28:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

When a little girl goes missing on an island just off the coast of Scotland, a prim and proper, by-the-book police Sergeant Howie is sent in to investigate, only to discover the locals claiming that the girl never existed. The longer he stays, the more he realizes that the islanders are a bunch of nutters, seemingly living in the past bent on secrets and pagan rituals. But tenacious Howie is determined to figure out the mystery of the missing girl.

The Sounds

Medieval ceremonial music mixed with some bagpipes and hippie guitar grooves. The sound edit seems choppy at times, but that may just have been for effect and definitely adds to the cult-ish feeling of the film.

The Sights

If you like masquerades and 70's thrills, look no further. This film is only weird because of the story and seems very normal when considering the overall production. The picture editing also has a choppy feel, but then I can say it feels right, considering the story and our lead character's air of confusion.

Final Statement - it's a hidden gem of a film, that takes the 'mystery' to a whole new, hot level. If you have seen the remake with Nicholas Cage, it is imperative that you see this as well.

Scarehouse (2005, 2009)

2010-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

This is no review, it's a shameless plug of my own Halloween movie, Scare House, but it is the 10 minute version, not the full 18 minutes. Actually, it works better when shorter, as I chopped all of the redundancies. Enjoy!!

Click this link or click the image:

The video below is how I made the sound effects for Scare House (only watch it after the film, though!)

Black Death (2010)

2010-10-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Hidden Gem Alert!

The Skinny

A young monk leads a pack of 14th century mercenaries to a small village in an English forest to find out what keeps the villagers plague-free. With bubonic plague all around them, they must avoid disease, rogue warriors and other distractions only to discover the strange and brutal secrets of the pagan villagers.

The Sounds

We don't always see the chopping of limbs and flesh-ripping sword-stabs, but we sure as heck hear it in glorious detail. The music fit so well, that I barely noticed it among all the carnage.

The Sights

One of the most realistic looking period pieces I have ever seen. The wardrobe is perfectly filthy and weathered, just like it probably would have been at the time. In fact, you can almost smell the stench of sweat and blood right off the screen. It is very dramatic, but when the swords come out, it gets pretty brutal.

Final Statement - this is not exactly an action movie, but more of a blood-soaked drama, with supernatural elements, high-caliber acting and great camera work. A worthy addition to any movie collection, whether on DVD or other media. Don't miss out, but don't expect the strongest ending, either (it was good, but it could have been more compelling).

Angel Heart (1987)

2010-09-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Title - 4.5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A private detective is hired by a distinguished gentleman to find a disfigured soldier who disappeared after World War 2 without settling a debt. What he descends into becomes a nightmarish journey of murder, blood and chickens. Oh, yes, there will be chickens.

The Sounds

A stylish mosaic of dark, epic music utilizing natural, on-screen sound effects to create tension and swiftly swell to a brooding climax. The beating heart motif crawls under my skin.

The Sights

In a word, 'cinematic'. The use of darkness, shadows and close shots, works well with the stylish editing. Some wide shots are brilliantly set up like paintings with little need for cutting - a style not often seen in modern cinema. This is one of Mickey Rourke's finest moments on film (one can easily see how freakin' awesome he is at sustaining a complex character). Robert De Niro is, what can I say, he always hits a home run.

Final Statement - film noir horror at it's best! If you want an original mystery with great acting and audiovisual expertise, look no further. If you have seen this in the past, watch it again!

Ninja Assasin (2009)

2010-09-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Special Halloween notice: Last year's Halloween sound effect loops at www.scarysoundfx.com were a huge success...(see below for more)

"A razor-blade epic!"

4/5

Hidden Gem!

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Ninja training is a bitch! And ninja masters have no remorse, only respect through terrible pain. No wonder the best trained ninja with moist eyes of steel and a heart of gold rebels against his trainers and an army of ninjas who come from the same orphanage...they're a bunch of meanies!

The Sounds

Some of the best audio editing I have heard in quite some time. Wow! The soundtrack is riveting and the scenes blend well together because of the smooth, clever transitions. It sounds like a razor-blade epic to be sure! Slices, dices, chops and groans - the sound effects are as effective as the cool visual effects. The word 'splat!' comes to mind.

The Sights

What a bloodbath. Looks like Ichi the Killer with more emotional control and a bigger budget (Ichi himself is a bit of a basket case). Our ninja hero can slice and dice his way through a room full of metal werewolves if he had to (there are no metal werewolves in this movie, btw). Looks like a graphic novel shot with real elements. GREAT camera work.

Final Statement - my days of hand to hand, blade to blade combat ended years ago with Jet Li in The One, only because I didn't happen across any really cool action film like it...until now (Kill Bill part one doesn't count - because it's a tongue-in-cheek, post-modern approach). If you liked Batman Begins and 300, but would like lots more gory, blood-soaked combat action, this movie is for you. How did I miss this? The trailer was too tame, I guess. Look at it below:

Special Halloween notice: Last year's Halloween sound effect loops at www.scarysoundfx.com were a huge success (as in the most views of any video or short film I have made and some sales of the longer loops). This year, there will be a special screening of a new 10 minute version of Scare House during Halloween weekend (go to ScarySoundFX.com for more details

Point Blank (1967)

2010-09-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

For a good laugh, visit my other blog: www.humpdayhaha.blogspot.com

4/5 Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A guy gets involved in a heist, gets double crossed (shot), gets better, then wants his money back. The guy who double crossed him steals his money (and his woman) to get good with a crime syndicate, but the guy he double crossed is on his trail and he wants payback. In fact, Payback (with Mel Gibson) is the remake of this film, although Point Blank has a more serious tone.

The Sounds

Haunting, jazzy, occasionally introspective and just plain funny in the jazz club when the singer sings: "Yeah, Yeah, Alright! Oww!! Yeah!!". A groovy, thought-provoking soundtrack. Check the trailer and the rhythmic footsteps that provide the beat. It's sometimes unconventional for the time.

The Sights

Good action shots overall. A great looking, well shot movie.

Final Statement - as good as action films get, stands the test of time and still looks good today.

Wild at Heart (1990)

2010-09-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Rating - 4/5 (Cult Film)

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A dark, funny, twisted road trip about a guy and a girl who stay together despite a murder, a domineering mother, a hit squad and parole violation.

The Sounds

What can I say? It's David Lynch, so I'm thinking: 'irreverent', 'funny', 'brutal' and 'poignant'. The music mix is fantastic at times and has 'cult' written all over it.

The Sights

A wonderful mix of beauty, lunacy and magic.

The Summary

Cult films don't get much better than this. Call it a drama, a love story, an adventure or a trip through a beautiful, demented dream. Even better if you like The Wizard of Oz!

Final Statement - a must have DVD or Blu-Ray for fans of great, unique, masterful storytelling. If you didn't see this before, please do yourself a favor and enjoy the twisted tale.

The Beast (aka "The Beast of War") - 1988

2010-08-21T19:18:00.000-07:00

4/5
Hidden Gem Alert

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A Russian tank crew separates from their unit after destroying a village in Afghanistan in 1981 and get stuck in a valley that appears to be a dead end. A great film that I had never heard of until I saw it on TVO (TV Ontario - no commercials, wide-screen). There are Afghan subtitles and English language in place of Russian.

The Sounds

A truly mesmerizing, masterful music score that keeps the viewer in a trance-like state during many sequences. Also, this is a great example of how sound effects can really make a scene in absence of music or dialogue. The FX were gritty and organic, much like the images they represented.

The Sights

Really good camera work and acting! The dust of the desert really works here to make you feel thirsty and filthy and hot. There is a lot more going on with the characters than what we see on screen; the main characters seem so complicated, but not so much that we can't see what's up with them. There is a bit of gore and violence, but it kind of needs to be there (and it's well done!). 1988? Wow! Looks pretty damn good for over 20 years old. It would be best viewed on Blu-Ray (with Dolby surround sound).

Final Statement - A great take on a war situation, where there really are no good guys or bad guys. A great cast, cool sounds and a damn shame that this film had very little attention; but then, it wouldn't be a hidden gem if it did. Enjoy!!

Moon (2009)

2010-07-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

4.5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Hidden Gem Alert!!

The Skinny

Sam, an astronaut, is coming to the end of his three year mission on the Moon, overseeing automated mining equipment that gather materials to help the Earth's depleted resources. Sam is not quite himself by mission's end.

The Sounds

Most notably, the music is quite impressive and trance-like at times, which really helps to keep the viewer glued to the screen. Quite an awesome soundtrack overall - and it does not distract from the story, it only enhances it.

The Sights

The camera work and special effects were done just right - not too much of anything, but just enough to sell us on the idea that there really is a man on the Moon, who has a job, misses his family and longs to return to Earth.

The Summary

An original story with superb directing, camera work, editing, acting, lighting, sound and everything that makes a movie great. What might look low key and possibly slow judging by the premise and movie poster, actually is fast-paced with a lot happening in the first half hour!! By the time we figure out what is actually happening, we are so glued to the story and convinced by the acting that this is real.

Final Statement - destined to become a cult classic, one day, when enough people see this, as I am sure it will grow on people, and many will realize that Sam Rockwell is one freakin' awesome actor who gets to rock out in such a great story! Kevin Spacey is like a friendly, conscientious, un-lied to HAL 9000, who shows compassion and would buy you a beer if he weren't so...computery...but he always has a coffee cup on hand.

The Descent 2 (2009)

2010-05-11T20:55:00.000-07:00

3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

An okay sequel to one of the best horror films ever made (in my opinion). Revisiting the group of women who went exploring caves in an unmapped cave system and stumbling upon a bloody, slimy nightmare, a sheriff bullies the lone survivor into going back down to see if anybody else had survived.

The Sounds

The same style of music as in the first - dark, foreboding, uneasy and very effective! The sounds of screaming pigs could once again be heard from the creatures who live underground and they are nothing less than bone-chilling.

The Sights

The deep darkness of the caves keeps things hidden in the background until a flashlight exposes them, so we are kept pretty much in the dark along with the characters. The gore and creature effects were once again well done and, in fact, were just as disturbing and bloody as the original.

The Summary

You have to see part one as this movie just carries on from that point. BUT, depending on the version, part one ended in two different ways, so this is clearly made for the audiences exposed to the North American version and only mildly plausible for the UK version that the rest of the world got to see before us. It's okay, but no great, perhaps because it is literally more of the same and, since the first movie came and went in a neat little package, I am left wondering why the sequel couldn't have gone up a notch because we've already been desensitized.

Final Statement - a very well made film, but for reasons stated above, nowhere near as effective as the first, but perhaps a little more disgusting (but not because the first one lacked blood).

El Topo & Begotten - A Twisted Double Feature

2010-04-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Note - I am not assigning a star value for these films. Like 'em or not, they are critical pieces of work which defy, challenge and inevitably succumb to all that is moral and acceptable in a modern age where desensitization coexists with stringent, yet strained traditional values.

Reviews by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Here are two films which deal with meaning on an esoteric level. The plots are simple, the narratives appear convoluted yet are proven to be simple and the imagery is sometimes beautiful in it's edginess, sometimes disgusting in it's bloodiness and somehow we can't look away when we realize what is actually happening. Both films deal with religious themes, yet appear to transcend simple theories and practices of humanity and earthliness, looking down at them like the ant farm they are. I'd rather not set up the plots, as these films must be watched without any pre-conceived notions of what they are about; interpret them as you may, because that's the fun of it.

The Sounds

Mesmerizing, repetitive and trance-like. El Topo sounds like a Spaghetti Western from the tombs of devils, sometimes with a feel of Six-String Samurai meets A Boy and His Dog, and Begotten has a simple but rich sound-scape consisting of looped mouth noises, heartbeats, crickets and environmental sounds with some atmospheric music thrown in.

The Sights

Watch if you dare! El Topo has some pretty disgusting images with some dead animals cut open, hanging bodies and human branding (the latter put to circus music with some good 'ol 1970's fast zoom-ins to exploit all that is considered counterpoint). Begotten has some stuff going on under it's black and white, high contrast film look that is quite disturbing and sometimes filthy-feeling when you realize what is happening.

The Summary

These are both experimental films with El Topo surely being a cult classic. I'm not sure if I'd consider Begotten to be a cult classic or even a hidden gem, but it is sure worth viewing, although I would not recommend it be shown to those under 18. In fact, I feel the same about El Topo because it can be the stuff of nightmares.

Final Statement - film collectors must own these works or at least watch them and absorb the experimental, poignant lunacy.

David Cronenberg's Horror Six-Pack!! (1975-1986)

2010-04-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

This posting is about some of the work of a master director during an important decade of horror films. I call this the six-pack because these six films should be packaged into a sixer of discs encompassing the seminal horror works of Cronenberg. With some of these films, 'seminal' is a double entendre.

The Fly (1986)

Videodrome (1983)**

Scanners (1981)

The Brood (1979)

Rabid (1977)

Shivers (1975)

I'm pretty sure all were written by him, except The Fly, but I had to include it because it was such a heavy piece of work. Now, go out and buy the DVD's or the Blu-Rays and don't watch Videodrome on YouTube for the first time, it has to be seen as pristine as possible!!

Final Statement - cheers to Cronenberg! Thanks for helping raise me on your horror movies!

** - possibly the best sci-fi thriller ever made.

Very Bad Things (1998)

2010-04-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot (If you haven't seen this, do not read any other reviews because they give too much away! Don't even read the movie box! There is no video posted - don't watch the trailer because it'll give away too much!!)

The Skinny (no spoilers!)

Whatever happens in Vegas can hound you like a venomous skeleton trying to bust out of your closet. A bachelor party goes very wrong, the effects of which reverberate as the people affected by what happened begin to bust at the seams, compelled to confess.

The Sounds

Using modern pop tunes during certain disturbing scenes certainly marks this as a dark comedy, perhaps one of the darkest ever made. The entire soundtrack was well-crafted and keeps you right where you should be - horrified and laughing (darkly).

The Sights

There are some really gross and bloody scenes which are far too disturbing to be a part of a dark comedy, especially considering the cast. The movie box states "Savagely funny" and that's pretty darn accurate. Aside from the gory parts, there could not have been a better cast for the bachelors. Christian Slater is at his finest since 'Heathers' and Jon Favreau, Daniel Stern, Leland Orser and Jeremy Piven play off of each other with acting perfection. Cameron Diaz is beautifully annoying.

The Summary

There are some films that I think are great but cannot watch more than once (Happiness, Kids, Requiem for a Dream) because of the disturbing content, but this one is a bit different. The performances are mostly pretty convincing and with the music chosen, it can be watchable many times.

Final Statement - I'd forgotten about this movie and I am glad to have found it again. A uniquely dark, disturbing horror-drama-comedy worth collecting. A keeper!

Frailty (2001)

2010-04-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A hard working widower gets word from God to kill demons according to a list handed down from above. His two sons are divided on their beliefs as to what is right and what is wrong. As an adult, one son decides he can't keep the secrets anymore and discloses the information to an FBI agent. He then leads the agent to a burial ground where secrets loom.

The Sounds

Great score! It has mystery/thriller written all over it. The dated country tunes thrown in are sonically designed to both convince and confuse as they draw you in then leave you stranded. The use of 'creating illusion' during some killing scenes are more effective than actually showing all of the carnage.

The Sights

Very compelling overall. The story makes up for any lack of sets and the imagery shown in flashbacks and visions are just enough to make us believe in the story. This movie simply rocks visually.

The Summary

I forgot about this one for a while then decided to see it again because I remembered liking it a lot. The second viewing, many years later, was even better! This is a timeless mystery that is worth a second viewing (or more) just because it's so darn simple yet very compelling. It has a horror feel with drama and mystery thickly smeared over top.

Final Statement - a collector's item for sure! This is a rare movie occurrence with great writing from beginning to end, great acting, direction, sound design and simplistic images that don't get in the way of a gripping story. Own it today on DVD (or Blu Ray, if it's out).

Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010 - TV)

2010-04-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

So, this guy called Spartacus is, like, a 'Thracian', way back in ancient Rome, say around 70 BC. He and his barbarian-style friends become a part of the Roman army, but mutiny ensues! Uh oh! So, anyway, he ends up becoming a slave, losing his wife in the process, gets a real short haircut then ends up becoming a kick-ass gladiator who just refuses to die and, like, makes his master, Batiatus (aka 'Dominus', man of the house) look real good because Spartacus really kicks ass in the arena like a machine, but is not without his intense struggles. Oh yeah, there's like a lot of blood, violence, sex, betrayal and manipulation going on.

The Sounds

Okay, seriously now, the music in the soundtrack works very well in a graphic novel sort of way, with classic-sounding themes and contemporary music thrown in over key scenes. It is a flawless execution of excitement, drama and grit. The only issue I have is with the use of a rock band where a classic-sounding score would have been more appropriate, but perhaps I am just out of the intended target audience (it does stick out, though).

The Sights

Looks like 300, smells like Gladiator, plays like Rome. We get the cool scene transitions with lots of computer generated images (CGI), a great assortment of bloody action scenes and a story that just keeps on getting better. It is 'on demand' right now on Rogers here in Canada and almost over (two episodes left, eh?), but now is the time to share my excitement because I totally am, like going to buy this series after it comes out on...on...DVD? On Blu-Ray? On neat, little media package of the day? Either way, I'm owning it!

The Summary

During the first few episodes, I'd asked others if they watched it and some people said they didn't really like it because it was too much like 'Gladiator meets 300', which it is, by the way. My response was: "Yes, but that's what I've been waiting for, especially multiple episodes on TV!" For others like me, it is a guilty pleasure chock full of eye candy.

Final Statement - it's a well-needed and appreciated television spectacle, especially in high definition (hi-def, HD). It 'gives the people what they want'! Not for the squeamish, though!!

Fish Heads - music video (1979)

2010-03-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

5/5 (cult classic music video)

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A song about how fish heads can be both friends and food. They can't really do much, but they can be brought to movies for free - but they're never seen drinking cappuccino in Italian restaurants with oriental woman...yeahhh!

The Sounds

Insane comedy at it's best. Totally experimental, and I stress 'mental'. Goofy voices singing the chorus and a light, feathery voice singing the lead about the experiences with the fish heads.

The Sights

Same as the sounds...imagine, all those fish heads to befriend, cuddle and eat.

The Summary

Weird for the sake of being weird. What's to comment on? I saw it when I was much younger just after it was made. It was on TV and I never did forget the song...it stuck in my mind. I could only find it on YouTube and my life was complete again!

Final Statement - if this came out on DVD, I would buy it to have it in my collection right next to Weasels Rip My Flesh and Death Bed: The Bed That Eats because, well, someone made this stuff for the weirdos to enjoy...and I like it!

Feast (2005)

2010-03-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A bunch of locals are holed up in a bar when some mysterious creatures appear and are out to kill.

The Sounds

The most wicked mix of metal, character intro music and great cinematic score, mixed together to give this film a gritty, funny, comic feel. The creatures sounded awesome as well.

The Sights

Ripping flesh, blood splatter, inane characters and grisly creature effects...what's not to love?

The Summary

Saying too much would only ruin this gem of a creature-feature horror flick.

Final Statement - a must-own for serious collectors of horror films. This was made by a fan of the genre to give us what we want. Period. Great work!

Waydowntown (2000)

2010-03-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Hidden Gem!

The Skinny

Some office workers in a downtown complex make a bet about who can last the longest without stepping foot outside. You see, they work in office buildings connected by underground concourses and they find themselves seeing crazy things, doing crazy things and craving fresh air.

The Sights

The craziness is not simply about a lack of fresh air; it's a real good look at the inherent craziness of working nine to five in an office setting. There are some pretty imaginative visuals paired with some pretty darn good acting. Look for an excellent performance by Don McKellar.

The Summary

A great comedy worth watching more than once. It takes a very boring subject and turns it into a very interesting story with some really good writing and cinematography. It might appear indie, but has an epic half-life.

Final Statement - not only a must-see, a must-have. This is one of those movies that can be easily looked over in a bargain bin, but must be watched and collected because it's so darn original. A real hoot! Yes, I said 'hoot'.

Waydowntown - Trailer | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

Black Sheep (2006)

2010-03-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

3.5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

In order to move into a lucrative future of sheep farming on the farm he inherited, a mad capitalist with a lab begins messing around with gene-splicing and an army of killer sheep are created when one of the 'mistakes' gets leaked by an animal rights activist. When his brother comes to the farm to seek closure, bloody hell breaks loose.

The Sounds

Pretty impressive musical score for a horror-comedy! So over-the-top musically, that it actually adds to the humor. I mean, who can take zombie sheep that seriously? The flesh-eating sounds were beautifully disgusting and must have been fun to make. I had to put the subtitles on for some of the fast dialogue and I laughed every time they showed 'bleats' for the sheep noises. (Bleat.) (Bleating.) (Sheep bleats.)

The Sights

Did I mention 'killer sheep'? Imagine them ripping into flesh and tearing off limbs with their cute, little sheep faces, but a little surly-browed and snappy with their chops. There is some pretty good gore and an epic bloodbath at the outdoor, farm fundraiser. One cannot help but laugh amidst the on-screen carnage.

The Summary

Great special effects, decent acting (mostly), believable sets and a timeless score all add up to a horror movie which turns out to be much better than is implied by the artwork on the cover of the disc. Worth watching.

Final Statement - Oh, sheep bleats! I had to have a copy for my collection because, well, I don't have any creature features with killer sheep (there, I said it again!).

Vampire's Kiss (1988)

2010-03-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by: Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A young office manager/executive gets bitten by a bat during a sexcapade in New York City and gets turned on by it. In the following days, he thinks he's becoming a vampire. He torments an office worker and seeks help from a specialist as he descends into a seedy world of darkness...and plastic teeth.

The Sounds

I loved the score! Over-the-top classic horror music at some points when he's freaking out (he freaks out a lot). The dialogue is insane an the delivery is one-of-a-kind, thanks to Nicholas Cage.

The Sights

I haven't seen acting this whacked-out since The Shining and I'm not sure which one is weirder. Just watching Nicholas Cage freak out outshines most of the other visuals in the movie. Probably the finest acting job, ever, by a leading man (Ben Kingsley came close in Sexy Beast).

The Summary

Somewhat of a hidden-gem, cult-classic, horror-comedy with a thick layer of drama obscuring the humor like the golden glazed jelly on a slice of pate; you know it's only ground liver, but it tastes so damn regal (WTF?).

Final Statement - a must-watch for those missed it. To this day, I'm not sure if it is a dark comedy or a twisted drama with horror undertones, but whatever it is, it should not be missed. Laugh disturbing laughs, with eyebrows upturned.

Slither (2006)

2010-03-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A meteor falls to earth and out come a horde of slithery, wormy aliens who share the same consciousness. They crawl into the mouths of some townsfolk and they turn into zombie-like creatures. And have an outrageous appetite for meat.

The Sounds

The score sounds big budget and adds to the comedy because of the seriousness of it and not the visuals. There are also plenty of squishy, slithery sounds to enjoy and make your skin crawl.

The Sights

I haven't seen a horror-comedy this disgustingly awesome since Tremors (or even The Faculty). This must have been made by horror fans for horror fans and, like the aforementioned movies, with top-notch acting, which is rare for this type of project. There is a ton of splattery, gushy goodness for the gore-hounds out there and some of the special effects were pretty darned original and effective.

The Summary

A great take on B-movie sci-fi horror with a comedy twist that sounds wet, looks disgusting and probably smells a whole lot worse than anything you ever had the displeasure of inhaling. I loved it. This is very cult-ish and perhaps, one day will be revered among the cult film fans of the living earth.

Final Statement - buy a copy and stick it between The Blob, The Faculty, The Thing, Tremors and Videodrome. A perfect, late-night, gross-out, fun alien movie!

Living in Oblivion (1995)

2010-03-13T18:44:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by: Frankenfoot

Status: Hidden Gem

The Skinny

An independent film team suffers many pitfalls while trying to make "the best movie made by a human being, ever". Will the director overcome the many challenges of indie film making or do they need a miracle?

The Sounds

The use of music to add mood to the scenes being shot and the inside thoughts during the 'room tone' recordings add to the tongue-in-cheek aesthetic of the simplified soundtrack.

The Sights

A mixture of black and white unreality with a color reality makes this film unique. The 'in camera' scenes are hilarious as the team endures mistakes and compromises in the film making process, and the characters are very well portrayed. The whole film is very well executed and believable, with solid, quirky performances by all.

The Summary

A very well made independent film about the making of an independent film and all that can go wrong. It's amazing that most stores either carry one copy or no copy at all of this hidden gem. It's amazing what entertainment people can come up with for a relatively low budget.

Final Statement - a definite collector's item and hidden gem of a film!

Brain Dead (1989)

2010-03-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

3/5

Review by: The Evildeerhead

The Skinny

A brain surgeon discovers a radical, new technique that will spear-head a revolution in the mental health industry. An old college buddy-turned-corporate-shark shows up and needs the good doctor's help in retrieving some numbers from the mind of his corporation's top mathematician, who now resides in a mental hospital. Soon, the good doctor finds himself stuck in a nightmare of twisted images and crazy characters.

The Sounds

The soundtrack sounds like it was made on a budget in the 1980's, with dated synthesizers. This doesn't help the overall quality of the movie, but I have heard worse.

The Sights

The imagery was fantastic for the budget. It looks as though they had tried hard to create a series of dream sequences that become the reality of Dr. Rex Martin (Bill Pullman). The acting and wardrobe were pretty decent and having Bill Paxton and Bill Pullman starring in it was a great choice, considering the apparent production quality of the entire project. This is the type of movie that would be a great re-do with GCI effects and a great cast, because it had so much potential.

The Summary

With a slightly bigger budget and better writing, I'm sure this would have been a more noticeable cult favorite. I'm not sure if anybody actually agrees about this being a cult film as it is, but then, who cares because it is definitely worth watching for the ideas alone. I'm not so sure the story makes a whole lot of sense - and I have seen it four times - but it is always a fun and twisted joy ride to experience.

Final Statement - worth watching, even if it seems like it's a cheesy, late night, post-party flick. Very cool to watch.

Battle Royale (2000)

2010-02-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A group of ninth-grade students are chosen to be brought to a desert island to play a game of 'kill-or-be-killed' in the Battle Royale survival program. Each armed with a back-pack of supplies and a surprise weapon, they are forced to do each other in or their nifty new neck rings will blow up and spatter their brains onto the ground.

The Sounds

(English subtitles - but, read 'em fast!) Normally, I find classic score and gore to be a mis-match, but as an unbiased reviewer, I must tell it like it is - this soundtracks simply rocks! It sometimes feels like an Evil Bugs Bunny fights Batman score, which adds to the cult-ish feel of the movie. The sound design is pretty cool during some transitions and the triumphant 'good morning' music on the island adds a darkly funny counterpoint.

The Sights

Great stuff all around. The camera work is awesome, the special effects as gory as necessary and the Battle Royale training videos are both funny and disturbing, giving it a Robocop feel at times.

The Summary

A sick, twisted, original, bloody fun adventure for the most depraved action/horror fans out there.

Final Statement - worth collecting! A very well made horror/thriller with enough action and blood to satisfy the most devout fans of the genre.

Run Lola, Run (1998)

2010-02-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A cool German action film that's got 'cult classic' written all over it. When Lola's boyfriend calls her in a panic because he lost a bag of money he was supposed to deliver, she must figure out, in a hurry, how to get some cash to save him before he does something stupid, like rob the grocery store he's standing in front of. She's got 20 minutes to come up with a solution and the possible outcomes depend on what happens along the way.

The Sounds

Simply awesome soundtrack which includes a constant, trippy techno theme song that helps glue us to our seats. The soundtrack is worth listening to on its own. Also, I have never seen a dubbed version of this film and I wouldn't want to, it would be shameful to listen to anything but the original German language with subtitles.

The Sights

Great camera work with cool bits of animation thrown in and darkly humorous flash-forward cut-aways upon her rubbing elbows or contacting strangers on the street. A marvelous cinematic experience.

The Summary

This is a 'film', not a movie. It's more 'art' than anything else and, not only can it be watched over and over again for years to some, it makes a perfect party backdrop - just mute the volume and play some music over the images - it's like an animated painting.

Final Statement - a must-have for serious film collectors. Films don't get much better than this.

The Car (1977)

2010-02-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A possessed, scary-looking car with a chilling horn sound and monstrous motor comes barreling into a desert town to kill people. Seriously.

The Sounds

The sound effects and music are what scared the crap out of me when I was younger. Those creepy, intense car sounds are still very effective today! The music sometimes felt very 'Terminator' with industrial orchestra jabs as the car approaches it's prey. I love the way it starts off with that feeling of dread, courtesy of the awesome score.

The Sights

Like a lot of the horror/action films of the 1970's, there is some choppy editing, but then there were no computer generated effects to rely on and, of course, with this devil-car, I wouldn't have it any other way. The car itself is pure evil and I can't even look at a Chrysler 300 without getting chills, because of this movie. The orange 'car-vision' was a great touch and breaks up the monotony of the questionable 70's acting.

The Summary

A good drive-in classic 1970's horror movie with a bit of originality which I hope gets re-made by a cool production company and a director who can understand and perhaps upgrade the vision. It could have been better, but the sound effects still scare the hell out of me.

Final Statement - good film for watching really late at night. Not the best horror out there and I wouldn't run out to buy a copy for over ten bucks, but a worthy addition to the annals of American horror cinema.

Death Race 2000 (1975)

2010-02-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

3.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot
Status - Cult Classic

The Skinny

The national sport of the USA, in 2000, is a cross-country car race where points are earned by hit and runs along the way (geriatrics got upgraded to 100 points each by Mr. President, as televised by the news). 'Frankenstein' (David Carradine) and his navigator must stay alive by going up against Machine Gun Joe, The Resistance (who want the 'car'nage to stop) and the rest of the wacky racers.

The Sounds

Talk about a mixed bag of music! There's everything from groovy 70's porn vibes to insane, electronic clown stuff. What's not to be loved? The soundtrack is what helps to define this as a cult classic. I can't say it's the best editing ever, because it's sometimes choppy, but the whole experience makes up for any audio flaws.

The Sights

I'm pretty sure somebody set out to make an irreverent, colorful and supremely cheesy action film with bits of gore and comedy splattered down from above...in chunks (directed by Paul Bartel of Eating Raoul - another 'must see'). The editing is...er...'fun', choppy and sometimes downright trippy, especially the fast car, POV shots along the highway. I think Sylvester Stallone probably did the finest acting in this movie (as Machine Gun Joe).

The Summary

Don't expect great dialogue or acting, it's all about the color, the driving action, the dark humor and the crazy TV updates. One of the many great cults from the 1970's, the essence of which remakes and updates simply cannot capture for a modern audience to understand in the same way.

Final Statement - worth watching and collecting. Smoke a fattie, stay up late and call some friends.

Raising Arizona (1987)

2010-02-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

5/5 (cult classic)

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A repeat offender vows to change his ways and raise a child with a police photographer, even if they have to steal one.

The Sounds

You couldn't ask for a more lively, entertaining musical score! From the opening title music to the Beethoven tribute motif, it's as entertaining on screen as it is off. You gotta love those banjos, too! The entire soundtrack is a masterwork.

The Sights

The overall concept is a visionary one. The camera work is truly inspiring and so well done, along with the editing. The high quality imagery mixed with the quirky, comedic storyline and top-notch acting makes me wonder why there are so many other films with much higher budgets that fail big time. The vision of 'The Lone Biker of the Apocalypse' is both scary and hilarious.

The Summary

One of the best comedy cult classics to ever be produced. Fans of comedy cults, action and horror will not be disappointed.

Final Statement - if you have not seen this movie yet, shame on you! I don't know a single person who didn't like it.

Pandorum (2009)

2010-02-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

Title - 3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A big budget sci-fi horror which opens with two crew members waking up on a spaceship after, who knows how long, and they try to remember the details of why they are there, which will help them figure out why their ship is such a wreck with strange creatures running around. But they don't have much time to ponder because the ship's reactor is about to fail. Uh oh!

The Sounds

You couldn't ask for better creature sounds. I heard screaming pigs among other stuff. The music seemed formulaic but was still pretty decent, although I wonder why such an orchestrated score would be used for a dirty, filthy, creature-infested sci-fi horror. The sound design was brilliant and realistic with the different point-of-view treatment in the iso-booths, backgrounds, etc.

The Sights

If you want eye-candy, you've got it. Great sets are mixed with amazing make-up effects and believable costumes, but I think there was too much 'creature' seen. After a little while, even though they were tough, they weren't that scary. Overall, the visual FX were brilliant and the acting was way above average. The gore was cool, too.

The Summary

I watched it and thought: "Enhh. It's okay." The fact is that I rolled my eyes more than once in disappointment, not because of the lack of originality (I always give the benefit of the doubt), but because of the writing and execution of certain ideas. I felt dumbed down because of the way the situation was 'explained' in a jumpy-edit style, which makes me wonder why they didn't just put a title card before the movie started (like Star Wars).

Final Statement - looks like a combination of Event Horizon, Escape from New York, Aliens and The Descent with a sprinkle of Sunshine thrown over top. Science fiction fans will probably dig this and want a copy, but I just think it's a good throw-away party back-drop.

See trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMEhkTxs3_E

Hardware (1990)

2010-02-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Post-apocalyptic sci-fi horror. A couple of scavenger buddies return home from the wastelands and one of them has a gift for his artist, chronic girlfriend, who keeps herself locked in her apartment and peeps around with video cameras. The gift is a cyborg skull, which isn't quite dead...uh ohhhh!

The Sounds

The cowboy-style acoustic twang is super-cool and is well-mixed with some low, sustained synths for an eerie feel (although the synthesizers sound a bit dated). I think it would have been better if some tunes were left out of the mix - shed the pseudo pop-punk dance stuff, stick with the Motorhead and Ministry and it plays more like a cyber-punk, industrial sc-fi. Iggy Pop as a radio announcer? That's always a cool choice!

The Sights

Looks like Mad Max lives in ancient Rome, in the future, on Mars, and accidentally gives Terminator to his girlfriend. The vision of the world is quite cool and there are some Robocop TV moments thrown in. There are some disturbing close-ups of the peeping tom, slob, pervert neighbor as he watches the couple have sex through an infrared-type telescope. The cyborg shots could have been better edited, but overall, the effects were pretty darn good for this type of B-movie.

The Summary

Pretty darn good lower budget film that managed to almost get a higher budget look. Most of the acting is good enough to convince a person that it's real, but there's just enough tongue-in-cheek cheesiness to make this a midnight cult classic.

Final Statement - worth owning the DVD or, maybe it's even out on Blu-Ray, I don't know. This is a hidden gem that needs to be seen by fans of post-apocalyptic, cyber-punk, industrial sci-fi.

Orphan (2009)

2010-02-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

3.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A mother, who had lost her third child at birth, battles with her inner demons, then wishes to share her love with more than her two children by taking in an orphan, who turns out to be a very intelligent yet eccentric little girl. The quelling of the mother's inner demons gives her the strength to battle the new evil that surrounds her.

The Sounds

Aside from a few predictable jump scares, the music really helped set the mood and the sound of the youngest daughter's deaf world was not only well designed, but essential for the story. The gory blood-related sound effects were real enough to sicken whether or not the source of the violence can be seen directly. The orphan's Russian accent, although not entirely believable, was very well done by this talented young actress.

The Sights

Oh yes, there is blood. In fact, I was surprised by the amount of blood because I didn't think it would be so gruesome. It wasn't over the top with the gore, but when it happened, they didn't hold back. The camera work was awesome and really helped with the suspense, aside from the aforementioned predictable 'who is gonna be there when the mirror door closes' jump scares. There were some recognizable faces, but not much star power, which makes the story seem more convincing.

The Summary

I normally don't review modern, higher budget movies like this, but I was actually really impressed by this one. It seemed to have a decent budget, which usually makes me skeptical as higher budget horrors seem too perfect and polished sometimes, but I think the money was spent in the right departments. The ending could have been better and even the alternate ending could have been more clever but it was more original and disturbing (but a bit weak), so I'm not sure which ending I liked better.

Final Statement - worth watching. I'm not sure how I feel about it being a collector's item, but it is a well made movie and I give it the benefit of the doubt when comparing it to similar films that came out before. I don't think it's fair when a movie comes out and people complain because they have seen the same story before, when this is, for sure, an upgraded version of previous attempts at a similar storyline.

Amazon Women on the Moon (1987)

2010-02-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Review by : Frankenfoot

Status: Cult Classic

The Skinny

A spoof on late night B-movie programming where the 'filler' is much better than the actual movie, which is constantly subject to technical difficulties and the TV station must show 'something' to the insomniacs, so why not crazy comedy sketches?

The Sounds

The sounds follow the picture in this one and pretty much support whatever we see. Some of the songs are hilarious, especially the B-movie sounds and the segment on 'Blacks Without Soul', with the hilarious renditions of classic pop songs. Also, Huey Lewis and the News as a music video on late-night TV with an old guy in his underwear who is trapped in the channel? Why not? It fits, in a way.

The Sights

Imagine - a dating credit check, a lost newborn at a hospital replaced by Mr. Potato-head, a senior getting lost on the TV in his living room, an invisible man who simply is not invisible (but doesn't know it), a boring man whose life airs on TV and kills him, an ad about 'carpet-head' for baldness, video pirates and a bunch of other wacky stuff all centered around a late-night B-movie which is always screwing up and you have yourself some great post-party watching to do.

The Summary

I think some people miss the point on this one. It's not meant to be fantastic, but it sure has enough nuttiness and variety to appreciate it more than once. It kind of takes over where The Groove Tube left off.

Final Statement - I have always loved it! There's not much to think about, it's just plain 'ol fun for a night when you just get sick of working and thinking too much and you just wanna put your brain on auto-pilot. A collector's item, for sure. Buy it today and laugh, dammit!

A Boy and His Dog (1975)

2010-01-29T08:26:00.000-08:00

Review by : Frankenfoot - shameless plug of the day - I turned a song that EvilDeerHead wrote in 1997 into a weird, little music video less than one minute long - see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_dbJNwM7g4

Status: Cult Classic

The Skinny

In 2024, after World War Four, a young man scavenges the wastelands in pursuit of food and sex. His dog, Blood, communicates with him telepathically and let's him know about a nearby woman, who lures him into a wacky underground lair where they need fresh, young seed.

The Sounds

The dog's voice is pretty hilarious and well-acted, but has a definite '70's sound along with parts of Don Johnson's dialogue (what was it with that era and ADR in some movies? I only grew up in it, I don't remember every detail, though!). The music gets a little wacky when he begins his descent underground, leaving you wonder what the heck it is that he's getting himself into.

The Sights

There were a couple of moments where I thought I was watching Six String Samurai, because of the camera work in the wasteland, but then it went back to a Road Warrior look. The whole movie had a grittiness that I could appreciate given the subject matter and the tone of the film. The underground world looked like a bunch carny's running all-day parades with intermittent M.A.S.H. announcements over the ubiquitous P.A. system with the latest news and recipes. What a vision!

The Summary

A gritty, post-apocalyptic dark comedy sci-fi that looks like both Mad Max and THX1138 (but made right in between them). Raw, quirky and very entertaining. The DVD I watched had the picture quality of a Spaghetti Western (only during the wasteland scenes) but, it didn't take away from the story.

Final Statement - gets better with age! I remember liking it when I was younger but it means so much more now because it's an awesome story and deserves a spot on the shelves of collectors everywhere (both dvd and blu-ray).

Dead Man (1995)

2010-01-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Funny short film on Cell Phones and safety (I directed it and recently re-edited it for the web - it's no Dead Man, but I am a shameless self-promoter! Enjoy!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weTlFv1h_F0

Review by : Frankenfoot

Status - Cult Classic

The Skinny

A black and white classic about a city boy who travels out West to get a new job as an accountant at a steel factory. On his journey, he struggles with a double murder, a bullet wound, bounty hunters, whacked-out campers and a loner named 'Nobody'.

The Sounds

With a soundtrack created almost entirely by Neil Young's overdriven guitar and delay effects, this becomes one of the most original scores I have ever heard on a film. The opening theme song is enough to make me want the CD and listen to it often (or the mp3). The rest of the soundtrack is pretty low key and suits the story just fine. The train whistles in the opening scene seem to keep the viewer on track, so to speak, while helping to show the time pass.

The Sights

The black and white gives it a classic feel and lets us concentrate on the story, including many facial reactions, a crazy monologue (by Crispin Glover) and some damn fine acting, with an all-star cast (all-star to me, anyway...even Iggy Pop is in this!). The camera work is wicked in it's simplicity and lets us see things very clearly without a lot of unnecessary shots.

The Summary

This film is almost pure art. It's funny with some serious existential philosophy worth contemplating time and time again. The characters are all so well written and acted that it gives the movie a timeless feel, like a well-written, thought-provoking novel.

Final Statement - the DVD box states: "A Masterpiece" and it lives up to that statement. For lovers of true cinema and film students who want to understand the vision of a master filmmaker. BUY or RENT A COPY TODAY!

Dark City (1998)

2010-01-27T09:30:00.000-08:00

Rating - 4/5

Review by: Frankenfoot

Status: Hidden Gem

The Skinny

A guy wakes up in a bathtub and doesn't know how he got there or who he is. Thus unfolds the mystery of a dark city, a murder, strange visitors, sleepy people and a man with strange visions (and neat eyebrows).

The Sounds

The music fits the picture perfectly, both in terms of genre and editing. It's mysterious, daunting, haunting and well composed. The flashback sound motif is trippy and really gives a tension to the visions. Heavy, man!

The Sights

Sci-fi doesn't get much better than this. It has a Metroplis meets Film Noir look with a little bit of Matrix spread on top - but, The Matrix was done after this movie, which should be noted (they were so close in time though, who knows who was working on what and when). Great looking film with some pretty stellar performances and it sometimes reminded me of Blue Velvet.

The Summary

Really well done movie that will most likely look and sound great for decades to come. It has a classic feel and perhaps a cult-ish one, too. A true hidden gem.

Final Statement - essential for film collectors who like their science fiction with a bit of fantasy and mystery thrown in. In fact, a truly enjoyable movie for just about anyone and I'll bet the Blu-Ray version looks fantastic (the DVD already shines).

The New Frankenfoot Promo Video

2010-01-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share the new promo video I am so excited about (edited by Frankenfoot). Cheers!

Deliverance (1972)

2010-01-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

Rating - 5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

A weekend canoe trip turns deadly for four buddies from the city. The wilds of the Cahulawassee River* in the Georgia wilderness are made wilder by the harrowing sounds of 'real perty squeals' in the woods.(*fictional, by the way, it was really the Chattooga River where it was filmed, and I read that on the internet).

The Sounds

Aside from the famous 'dueling banjos', which becomes a motif throughout the film, but serving different moods, the bits of score are added with great effect now and then second only to the crazy sounds of the rushing water, which becomes a metaphor for the film. The water, being a source of good times at the beginning, is as equally deadly near the end. Get used to the ADR (dialogue replacement) which, to me, is a hallmark of '70's movie sound (if it wasn't ADR, I'll be damned!)

The Sights

If you haven't seen it yet, be prepared for some very brutal images (don't see it if you cannot handle raw, gritty acts of violence and humiliation). The acting is superb and the characters are all very well written and so real...it truly is scary. The camera work, mixed with the reaction shots and cutaways during the 'encounter' scene were so well edited, it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Summary

Classic action drama from the 1970's. I would like the DVD as I find it's an important, yet controversial film that arouses fear and pity, thus achieving a catharsis of such emotions (thanks, Aristotle!).

Final Statement - classic film! A must for DVD (or Blu-Ray) collectors (or just film lovers in general). Great film making, as controversial as Straw Dogs, I'm sure.

Cabin Fever (2002)

2010-01-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

If you go down to the woods today, don't share your drinks. A group of good looking college graduates take a vacation in a small town cabin, in the middle of nowhere (this happens a lot in horror movies). Something sinister is lurking in the woods that will make their skin crawl....and fall off.

The Sounds

One of the most original musical scores I have heard in quite some time. I love the banjo sounds. The rest of the sound design is very effective with the gore. Great soundtrack over all.

The Sights

Really gross! Not a typical horror movie. There is a lot of disintegrating flesh involved here. There is also a lot of humor and these nitwit college grads are all pretty good actors - and that makes all the difference. This is a high quality horror movie done right.

The Summary

Very different movie with some cult-ish bits which I'm not entirely sure belong (such as the karate child yelling "Pancakes! Pancakes!"). But, nonetheless, it is very entertaining, funny and gross. The characters are all very original.

Final Statement - a worthy addition to a horror movie collection directed by a very talented guy who must have an awesome sense of humor (he can act, too!).

Surveillance (2008)

2010-01-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

3.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Killers are on the loose and some local desert cops, along with some drug-seeking transients and a family with a blow-out, get involved and everybody who survived has their own version of what went down on the desert highway that day.

The Sounds

Great music! The sound design is creepy and ambient at times...nothing really stood out, but really supported the picture.

The Sights

Very interesting and a little retro here and there, depending on what you have watched in the past. Very cool camera work and editing. The acting was what really made the movie. I had read criticism about Bill Pullman's acting in this one, but, come on, he's really playing the part and that becomes evident in the final act. He seems either not very into it, or he is exploring a completely different character than he has ever done before - I'm betting on the latter, but I don't want to know if it's true or not.

The Summary

Really moody and original story with some insanity, blood, cool camera work and quirky characters. Oh yeah, some humor, too! I really liked French Stewart in this one. Even though there is a bit of a give-away half way through, I think it's tops!

Final Statement - worth watching and collecting. Tired of superhero and video game movies? Watch this.

Cold Prey ("Fritt Vilt" 2006)

2010-01-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

(see trailer below)

3/5

Review by : The Evildeerhead

The Skinny
Good looking teenage snowboarders have an emergency and get stuck in some snowy mountains, seeking shelter at a nearby chalet, which turns out to be a bad idea...because a killer lives there...oops! Did I ruin it? By the way, it's Norwegian with English subtitles (the DVD, I mean).

The Sounds
I liked the score as it was very well done, but sometimes I felt like it may have been scarier without music in certain scenes. Otherwise, the soundtrack was very professional sounding, with some well designed moments.

The Sights
I must say that the image quality was perfect for this type of film - it was high quality yet with the right grittiness to make me believe that the chalet was real. The action scenes were shot and edited like Gladiator, 28 Days Later and other super-strobe-like, gritty movies and it works quite well here (precisely, I mean the Colosseum scenes of Gladiator and the 'air-horn-in-the-rain' scene of 28 Days Later). If it wasn't from Norway, I'd swear Michael bay had something to do with the making of it, because of the overall look - it also almost looks like Marcus Nispel directed it (almost).

The Summary
I wasn't afraid enough of the killer and I think the reason he turned out like that wasn't clearly established or strong enough for me to think he was that much of a mad man. So, it wasn't as scary as the movie box says it is. It is a good film, however, and the acting quality is much better than you could expect for this type of horror film. It felt more like High Tension than Wrong Turn because of the drama involved.

Final Statement - very well done drama, with some action scenes and blood stains, that looks like a horror. I think it's worth collecting if only as a piece of world cinema in the horror genre that sets a quality standard rarely attained by North American films.

Punisher, War Zone

2009-12-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

3/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
A movie about revenge where a very angry and lonely man punishes the bad guys and leaves a trail of carnage that the cops cannot seem to control.

The Sounds
The music didn't really stick out so much (it was quite typical for the genre), but the sound effects were very crunchy and squishy - there was a lot of carnage. Sounded a lot like playing a first-person shooter - effective, but the visuals are what dominate.

The Sights
Pretty darn bloody movie with quite a bit of action. The story is simple, but how deep do you want a blood-soaked action movie to be? I like Ray Stevenson because he is a serious Punisher and very tough, unlike the original character played by Thomas Jane, who was kind of funny sometimes and not as tough. Dominic West is always good, but he sort of went into a Jack Nicholson Joker routine, perhaps from being whacked out on painkillers for his new, horribly disfigured face courtesy of Punisher (or, maybe he just lost it from not being on painkillers). The character got silly.

The acting is all really good for this type of movie. The best role was by far Doug Hutchison as Loony Bin Jim.

The Summary
It has a dark, comic book look to it, but way more violent than other comic book movies. If you want blood and action, look no further. It's much better than most action films these days. I liked it more than Terminator Salvation, but not as much as Crank. I know, they're not comic book movies, but they are made for hardcore action fans.

Final Statement - a decent throw-away gory action film which is fun to watch. I think it's worth collecting, but only if I can get a copy for under ten bucks.

The Hitcher (2006)

2009-12-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
Whooooa, Nelly! What a ride! Some crazy hitchhiker goes on a killing spree because of...because he...so he can...you see, that's the beauty of it - we may never know why. But, 21 year-olds on their way to spring break should not pick up strangers in the desert (rain or no rain!).

The Sounds
What a sound mix! I mean the effects - they were awesome and totally heavy, man. The music? Ennnhhh, I am never crazy about mixing pop-songs-of-the-day with a cool music score, but it didn't totally bum me out, either. I love NIN, but the big chase scene would have been cooler with a heavy score there - it reminded me of Charlie's Angels with The Prodigy where I thought it gave a silly feel to the scene, but Charlie's Angels had that comedic edge to it, where The Hitcher doesn't, really.

The Sights
Aside from the unbelievable big chase carnage, which felt like Transporter 2 in a way (not in a good way), I thought the overall grittiness was astounding. The acting was really convincing and I loved the fact that this guy is just 'messed up'. I don't believe he could kill that many cops, though - I think they would be smarter than that in real life. The gore wasn't really overdone, there was just enough of it and shown in the right ways - good lighting and clever picture editing.

The Summary
I was expecting to be disappointed because a couple of friends told me it was just 'okay', but hot damn, it was quite a trip - literally!

Final Statement - great action/horror which, although may not end up being a classic, is a great thrill ride for fans of the genre. This is one case where a bigger budget is well spent .

Still Life (short film - year?)

2009-12-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

5/5 (watch it below)

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
A young man tries to stay awake while driving on a country highway, and runs out of gas just outside of a nearby town. He totally smokes a J-walker with his minivan. When he stops and gets out to see the damage, things get really weird as true horror unfolds around him.

The Sounds
Great music that sends shivers up your spine. The sound effects were very detailed and believable, especially in the way they are balanced in the final mix. The overall soundtrack was very well done. Aspiring filmmakers take note - this is what a great soundtrack sounds like.

The Sights
Very clever camera angles help the story unfold. We see a lot of his reactions close up which allow the constant string of 'reveals' to work effectively. The overhead shots were a nice touch, but not necessary, even though they did add a nice break from the facial close-ups and hinted at the possibility of a bigger budget than what it was.

The Summary
Someone told me about this and I took their word for it, then watched it a few days ago. I re-watched it again today on YouTube. A great little film that I am pretty sure will become a feature some day if this filmmaker wants to carve a niche in the hierarchy of original film scripts that seem to be overshadowed by the current infiltration of re-makes and comic book heroes we are so reluctantly growing accustomed to.

Final Statement - if you like mysteries and psychological horror movies, this one is for you.

The Signal (2007)

2009-12-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

4 /5
Review by : The Evildeerhead

The Skinny
When all of our prized electronic devices suddenly stop working, it may be a sign of something big. IF that happens, do not watch your TV - it can turn you into a maniac!!

The Sounds
Wow! Mesmerizing music all the way through. Very trance-like score that warbles and hums and sounds like something bad but comfortable. The pop/rock music adds to the mood, especially when our heroine listens to it on headphones - we get to hear inside her head and outside, in the new world of random violence. What a great combination of pop and score. Sound editing was fantastic.

The Sights
When I popped the disc in, I was a little worried. It started out as a very video looking budget horror movie but quickly shot into a 70's vibe with the sudden change in image when the credits started. It began to look like a more expensive movie, with great camera angles and decent gore effects (not overly gory, but effectively gory!). I have never heard of these actors before and was quite astounded at the quality of performances, especially when I looked up the budget (a surprising $50,000!).

The Summary
What a great little surprise this movie was, in the end. I wasn't too sure about the comedic second act (or, second 'film' within the film - it was directed by three people), but the seriousness overpowered the comedy - call it a longer comic relief scene, I guess. It was a cleverly written scene and the 'party guest' almost stole the show.

Final Statement - I guess it is a horror, but it plays like a 'bloody drama'. Felt like Videodrome, Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later and Miracle Mile all rolled into one. Highly recommended.

Rambo (2008)

2009-12-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
Rambo kicks ass in Burma to save some stubborn missionaries, even though he warned them against going on their mission. Tough-ass mercenary types are sent in, but Rambo shows them who's boss. Best action movie in a long, long time.

The Sounds
The smoothest soundtrack I have ever heard for an action movie. The music and sound effects blended so well and sat perfectly throughout the entire picture. What a great sound mix! I took detailed notes to learn from this example.

The Sights
Brutal! Bloody! Blowy uppy! I thought, even though the CGI blood was a little fake looking, the editing helped it by going really quickly. I can see why they chose digital blood because some of the action in the wider shots could have been difficult otherwise. Some of the army camp scenes at night, in the rain, were almost like drawings from a graphic novel - very moody and realistic. A great looking film.

The Summary
I think it's an action classic with a horror feel. It's a guy's movie, to be sure, but seriously enjoyable. Fifty million dollar budget? I can see that most of it shows on the screen.

Final Statement - brutal, bloody, slick-sounding flick with a very straightforward plot that has no problem showing you the goods - if you can handle them. This is on my A-list of collectibles. A great action film with blood, guts and feelings (seriously).

Sunshine (2007)

2009-11-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
Really impressive science fiction and action film with a sticky dab of horror. This was done by a master filmmaker - it's so obvious. Reminded me of Event Horizon, but with the visual atmosphere of Alien.

The Sounds
The soundtrack is what keeps the images and story solid. It's a trippy-sounding, dream-like trance that has a timeless feel. A masterwork! The sound effects were so fitting, I barely noticed them (one of the hallmarks of great sound FX design).

The Sights
The lens flare and super-bright parts are about the best one could do with a movie called 'Sunshine'. It had a polished, but ground down feel, with a rich color palette and some top-notch acting abilities.

The Summary
Maybe I was supposed to be a little confused about the last act, and I like a good thinker, but it felt like the story got a little shaky near the end. Perhaps there could have been a different twist, but then I don't know what I would have written to make it better. That didn't take away too much from the overall quality of the film, though, because it still is a stunning achievement with good pacing and a good dose of discombobulation.

Final Statement - strange things happen in space, especially when you go too close to the sun, with all it's mind-bending gravity and such. This is a gem of a movie and a definite keeper! I am going to watch this every year, and if a special release comes out, I will get that, too.

Sexy Beast (2000)

2009-11-20T19:19:00.000-08:00

5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
British crime drama with a retired colleague who gets roped into one last heist. That's all I can say.

The Sounds
Perfect music and sound design to match both the story and the visuals.

The Sights
GREAT acting from all. There is an intermittent nightmare theme which adds a surreal touch to the movie. The narrative is cleverly laid out in a well-thought jigsaw fashion, which enhances the visuals when we find out more about what happens. The vision is beautiful in its ugliness - it's ugly on the inside, right where it counts.

The Summary
The title is...is...a facade as much as Brazil (by Terry Gilliam) was. If it has a deep meaning, I must see it again...which I will. This movie...er, 'film', is unlike any other I have seen and it is worth collecting because its style matches its substance. I can't mention Ben Kingsley without adding how impressive Ray Winstone is in this picture - both are equally compelling.

Final Statement - I feel this is a cult classic/hidden gem both at the same time. When I first saw it, both of the cool, downtown papers in Toronto (Canada) gave it rave reviews and it is very clear why - a perfect film with a perfect cast...and really cool visuals.

High Tension ("Haute tension") 2003

2009-11-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

3.5 /5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
A couple of girlfriends go on vacation and it goes terribly wrong when a serial killer starts ripping through the fabric of their existence. What sets the killer off is a little confusing, but there is love involved.

The Sounds
The music suited the images so well, I can't imagine them without that soundtrack. The sound effects were as gruesome as the images they represented. The overall sound design was top notch and really supported the picture.

The Sights
It is technically a horror, but with really good acting. The fact that it feels like a drama makes the gore scenes just that much more intense. When there was blood, there was a lot of it. Aside from the blood, the color palette of the overall visual was infused with a grittiness that suited the feel of the film. I can't see how this would work on television, unless it was heavily chopped - it's not only disturbing visually at times, but psychologically.

The Summary
A really well done horror film with great actors, realistic (and well shot) gore effects and some of the best movie music and sound design I have heard for this genre. I'm a little disappointed by the ending, but I can now see how hard it would be to pull off that kind of story.

Final Statement - a bloody horror/drama that cuts through flesh and bone and spits it out on the other side where we are left a little confused as to why we are seeing what we are seeing, but are somehow satisfied with the results.

Tokyo Gore Police (2008)

2009-11-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

4 /5
Review by : The Evildeerhead

The Skinny
In a hyper-violent world, where evil 'engineers' can turn flesh wounds into effective weaponry in their own bodies, we shouldn't be surprised to see TV commercials advertising death and super-sharp blades designed to cut human flesh. How much blood can spray from a human body? What kind of projectiles can mutated bodies throw from their wounded flesh? Watch and find out. It's a sick and twisted world that inspires this type of film making...but it works...somehow.

The Sounds
Squishy, slicey and chewy. Aside from the sound effects, the music worked in most parts, but sounded silly in others - which is part of what makes this film so quirky. The musical interludes were very funny, lyrically (they had subtitles). I would have preferred the voice-overs to be in their native language because the acting for these voice-overs sucked. The visuals are what make the movie.

The Sights
Not for non-fans of gore! OMG, LOL, WTF, BMW! What a hoot! I have not seen anything so bloody and spurty since Peter Jackson's 'Dead Alive' (aka Brain Dead). A veritable blood bath to satisfy the deepest of gore-hounds. The effects, which looked good and cheesy, were sometimes quickly enough edited to suggest the action with reaction shots and blood spraying into the camera lens. INTO the lens...a lot! I'm not even going to get into the golden shower scene.

The Summary
It's almost as if Takashi Miike and Quentin Tarantino slept together and, after filthy pillow-talk, decided to make a film that would pay homage to David Cronenberg with some Robocop chunks sprinkled on top (oh, and Sam Raimi must have been video-taping them in bed). Of course, this was directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura, whose history includes a lot of special effects make-up in cinema, as clearly seen in this picture. GORY, BLOODY AND WEIRD! I think there was a story, but it felt like an Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode.
Fans of gore must have this in their collection!

Final Statement - gory, bloody, spewey, slicey, spurty, crunchy, ridiculous, fun cultish B-movie! And I thought Tokyo Decadence was way out there. Bring a raincoat, cancel the pizza!

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

2009-11-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

Title - Phantom of the Paradise 4/5
Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny
A 1970's rock and roll horror-musical with great camera angles and a B-movie feel, sprinkled with dark comedy. A visual feast with quirky music.

The Sounds
I'm not sure that I love every song and that they were at all very catchy, but they were well written for the characters and/or action on screen. I liked the split-screen with the sound of each frame on either side - that I have not seen a lot of, ever. Great soundtrack, all-in-all, but I need to see the visuals with the music and not just listen to the music alone.

The Sights
Colorful with great costumes. As mentioned, the camera angles were well done in certain scenes, which pretty much ensured it's future status as a cult favorite at the time. The Phantom's mask and teeth are pretty iconic and deserve a spot on the cool T-shirts everywhere.

The Summary
A very unique movie experience that must be watched after midnight, preferably on a summer night after a dinner party at a fancy house. It may be weird the first time, but it will eventually grow on you.

Final Statement - a cult classic, worth every re-mastering penny (come on already, re-master the movie, not just the soundtrack!).

Return of the Living Dead (1985)

2009-11-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

4/5

Review by : The Evildeerhead

The Skinny
Mid-1980's horror comedy with good, quirky acting, funny zombies and some interesting visual effects.

The Sounds
I can't say that I liked the music then and I can't say I like it now. It is stuck in the era, especially the theme song. But, the theme song (after the long, long intro) does set the quirky tone of the movie and so it works. The rest of the music also works in the culty context of the project.

The Sights
The visual effects were very clever and some were cartoon-ish. The punk leader was especially funny when he shows his sensitive side and the gang's wardrobe was a perfect mish-mash of punk and new wave. The zombies were hilarious to watch. I rarely mention writing skills, but it is worth mentioning that the writing here was top-notch and translating that to screen so well is, I think, an achievement worth noting.

The Summary
Even though this is more or less a zombie spoof, it does have some very intense moments, but they're usually so funny that it feels like your in an amusement park thrill ride rather than a horror movie. Buy the DVD! It's twisted and fun.

Final Statement - cult movie fans must own a copy of this! It's fun to make fun of with your friends as you watch and some of the lines are fun to re-enact out loud, even years after you've seen it. Great backdrop for a late-night party.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2009-11-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

The Rocky Horror Picture Show - 5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

The Skinny

Mid-1970's rock musical about a hedonsitic transvestite from another world who has the best parties in town, even if he kills and manipulates those around him. Big on the hooks, lean on the filler!

The Sounds
You can't get much better songwriting than this, except for when 'the creature', Rocky, sings his mediocre song. Maybe that's why I don't remember it from the LP record (the 'vinyl'). This film has some of the catchiest tunes ever written and truly send shivers down the spine.

The Sights

A cornucopia of colour! Typical 70's zoom outs! Girls and boys in lingerie!

Outlandish as it gets. I love the weird lab set and the theatre near the end. The costumes are hilarious and the cheap special effects are perfectly 'culty'.

The Summary
Plays out like an ancient Rome tragic tale, with all of the decadence, manipulation and abuse of power. I love it! At midnight, on a summer day in 2075, there will most likely be a showing in New York...on something sharper than Blu-Ray!!

Final Statement - not only a near perfect movie, but one heck of a soundtranck, too (I put the album cover because it reminds me of the one I owned and wore out).

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

2009-10-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre- 4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot (be sure to visit ScarySoundFX.com for some of the creepiest Halloween sounds you'll ever hear!)

The Skinny
Creepy more than scary. The tension is upheld because the characters are so bloody weird and it's simply hard to accept that humans can act that way - but then, read the news. A cult classic horror flick - call it a slasher, but I think it's a little more than that.

The Sounds
The music (music?) right from the opening scene and onward isn't really music - it's a metallic sound-scape with sprinkles of pots, pans and echo effects, and that's what makes the sound timeless. The 'scraping' sound at the start is one-of-a-kind and was re-used for the 2003 re-make because it was a part of the experience (BTW, it was made by scraping a tuning fork against a piano string). The sound-scape reappears when one girl discovers the 'living room' and it is incredibly freaky.

The Sights
I am so glad I saw the DVD because the VHS looked very dark and almost unwatchable at points, way back. The DVD really brought the picture up front, like it was supposed to look. Although it was a low budget 70's flick, the camera work, action and props made for some freaky experiences. It's really messed up when grand-dad gives the 'sledge' a try. Ewwww!

The Summary
A horror classic which must be seen again to be believed. There's a lot of screaming and I'm sure some of it was real. It feels like a classic, but it looks like snuff.

Final Statement - any true horror fan must own a copy.

Session 9 (2002)

2009-10-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Session 9 - 5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot (be sure to visit scarysoundfx.com for some cool and creepy sounds!!)

The Skinny
I'm glad I took a chance on this one. I must have passed by it a dozen times on the video store shelf, then rented it, then bought it. I love it! It's a thinker with good acting, good story and a creepiness that lingers. A haz-mat crew is hired to remove asbestos in an old, dilapidated mental health facility, which seems to have an effect on people.

The Sound
The music is really different. It has an almost circus-like feel near the end. During the film, it has really dark parts, but not over-used. The tape-recordings, which become almost real, sound like a warped voice-over that we are compelled to listen to.

The Sights
It may seem slow at first, but it's just because it's pretty heavy, especially at the end. Like I said, it's a thinking person's horror film that has a medium pace with some great characters and a creepy association with the location it was shot in. The late-night treasure hunt was especially nerve-wracking.

The Summary
This is one of the best psychological horror films ever made. It's well thought out and has a great ending, but a disturbing one. There are no heroes, sorry, just a bunch of very flawed individuals trying to make a buck that end up...naw, I won't give it away - it's worth watching on a very dark night with some organic popcorn and a couple of beverages.

Final Statement - a thinking person's horror film. A true hidden gem. David Caruso is in this and I think it's one of his finest moments - forget about Miami CSI, he is really down to earth here.

Black Christmas (1974)

2009-10-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

Black Christmas - 3.5/5

Review by : The Evildeerhead (be sure to visit scarysoundfx.com for cool Halloween sound effects!)

The Skinny
Imagine being stuck inside a large sorority house on Christmas Eve or other cold, wintry night, when a series of very disturbing phone calls are coming through and the cops can't trace them before they're hung up. This movie freaked me out when I was young and even more so thirty years later! It's just plain creepy.

The Sounds
The best sounds were the ones the psychopath was making when he was freaking out both on the phone and elsewhere. The phone call voices were very disturbing to listen to and not something I'd ever like to quote. The piano-slam music is what keeps it suspenseful, creepy and a bit timeless - it also keeps us focused on Keir Dullea, who plays the concert pianist hopeful who seems to be losing his grip.

The Sights
The use of darkness and good editing makes for a chilling killing spree. The first-person POV cam for the psychopath freak-out was unforgettable. The cold, winter evening is enough to make you want to hide in the dark. It wasn't exactly a bloodbath, but it didn't have to be with the clever camera angles used.

The Summary
This movie freaked me out as much as The Exorcist, when I was younger. Both have a lasting impression. It is not a fun movie and not a 'pretty girls doing stupid things' movie, either. One is best to watch it on a cold night, near Christmas, with the lights out. Very disturbing and they almost give away a crucial part of the story at one time, but quickly glossed over it and distracted us with something else - a lesser actor would have totally given it up.

Final Statement - a classic slasher flick with dark performances. Creepy more than scary.

The Faculty (1998)

2009-10-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

The Faculty - 4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot (be sure to visit scarysoundfx.com for some eerie Halloween sounds!)

Status - soon to be classic sci-fi horror

The Skinny
One of the funnest, kind of scary sci-fi horror movies I have ever seen. I was disappointed at the cover artwork, because so many 'handsome teen group' cover photos turned out to be dumb, useless movies, but this is an exception. Good actors really make a difference in horror movies and this cast was well-chosen and directed (and well edited, too!).

The Sounds
The super-action, sometimes-over-the-top score works with this, because it is a bit of a quirky movie, with some contemporary aggressive rock thrown in to assist what we are seeing. I didn't buy the soundtrack, but I could see younger folks doing so as it is a good collection of tunes.

The Sights
The visual effects were fun and sometimes reminded me of the feel of Tremors, because of the scariness mixed with the humour (although Tremors was funnier). The visuals make for a high quality midnight movie. It has some great action scenes.

The Summary
If you like creature features with good looking young people who can act, mixed with punk-ish tunes and slathered with great creature effects, this movie is worth watching.

Final Statement - a fun horror movie which deserves a spot on the shelf of collectors. Hard to say if it's cult-worthy, but for sure worth collecting and watching around Halloween time.

The Thing (1982)

2009-10-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Thing - 5/5 (below is a pretty cool trailer done by a fan of the film)

Review by : Evildeerhead (please visit scarysoundfx.com for cool Halloween sounds!)

The Skinny
From the book 'Who Goes There' comes director John Carpenter's finest work. Oh sure, there was Halloween, but it ain't no Thing! A classic horror about isolation, trust, insanity and squishy stuff. They don't get much better than this - and without the CGI!

The Sounds
The music was simple, yet perfect for the atmosphere and always sounded like doom (by Ennio Morricone). The sound effects were disgustingly great - they really make you feel disgusted. A perfect balance of simple music and amazing sound effects.

The Sights
Not for the squeamish, even by today's standards. Some of the freakiest effects I've ever seen and they were executed and shot very well. The exterior darkness of the Antarctic-y surroundings mixed with flares, blowing snow and frozen breath really make you want to hide under a blanket. For a creature feature in 1982, the overall visual quality is second to none.

The Summary
A classic horror masterpiece by one of the masters of horror. Deserves a spot in any DVD/Blu-Ray collection. Great actors all around make the story very believable. It is not a remake of 'The Thing from Another World', but a reinterpretation of the book, according to an interview I saw. This is about shape-shifting, not about a frozen vegetable man.

Final Statement - a hidden gem for some, a reminder to own it for those who have seen it.

True Romance (1993)

2009-10-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

Rating - 5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot (be sure to visit scarysoundfx.com for creepy Halloween sound effects!)

Status: Action Classic

The Skinny
A great action love story about a comic-book, movie-loving loner who begins to evolve into the cool characters he so reveres; from a nerd, a hero rises. Well written and believable even in it's outlandishness.

The Sounds
The music is so beautifully f***ed. From the innocence of the theme music (main score) to the implementation of the intense electronica in certain parts, this movie rocks in it's trance-like execution. It makes the heavy scenes all that much heavier.

The Sights
All I can say is: "Heavy, yet sincere." One of the best looking films of any decade, despite it's over-the-top violent parts. The violence is part of the fabric; if it was made of wool, it would be stained with semi-dried blood, but surprisingly comfortable!

The Summary
This is pure cinema! I don't care how violent it is (it is very), it is one of the heaviest films of all time, in my book. Not only were the characters believable, the story was, too. Incredible achievement in filmmaking and the effect lasts a long, long time. Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, James Gandolfini and Dennis Hopper offer up some of the finest acting under one roof.

Final Statement - an action classic. Innocence and chivalry are blended together into a cocktail so pure and potent, any moral person might dare to drink it, if just for the momentary, yet powerful taste of peach cake and blood.

Repo Man (1984)

2009-10-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot (be sure to visit scarysoundfx.com for creepy halloween sound effects)

The Skinny
An L.A. punk, who can't hold a regular job, gets sucked into the life of repossessing cars and joins the hunt for alien bodies stuffed into the back of a wayward Chevy Malibu, driven by a crazed scientist. The people are whacked, the music is cool and the humor is dark, yet very funny.

The Sounds
The music in the soundtrack makes for a great party album. I used the word 'album', so you know I saw it when it was new. It was an instant classic at the time, for me and my group, and equally a classic to this very day.

The Sights
Some of the effects are purposely cheesy, but hilarious. I like the generic products and the 'glowing' effects.

The Summary
This is a party movie, for sure, but can be watched from time to time simply because it's so freakin' entertaining - and funny.

Final Statement - cult classic, all the way. Own a copy today. Especially collectible for fans of punk music and quirky stories.

Pontypool (2008)

2009-10-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

4/5

Review by : The Evildeerhead (for scary Halloween sounds, go to scarysoundfx.com)

Status - Hidden Gem

The Skinny

Original premise about a DJ/shock-jock who has found himself working at a morning show in a small town - he gets holed up in the station with his co-workers while something strange happens outdoors. Feels like 'The Fog' (1980) mixed with any recent "zombie/virus" movie and maybe some "Assault on Precinct 13". I did not read the book, so I can only go by what I see on screen.

The Sounds

Without the sounds, there really is no movie. Since all the crazy stuff happens outside, where we can't see it, we must feel as if it is really happening - and it works here. The music and sound design are super well-done.

The Sights

Since it's mostly the audio that is scary, the minimal blood isn't really that freaky. The way the people change into 'crazies' is unique, though. We are mostly reacting to the actor's reactions since we are holed up with them and barely see the outside world. There are a lot of close-ups of Stephen McHattie near the microphone and his expressions are some of the best ever captured on film.

The Summary

Although I read that this was low budget (after I saw it), I was amazed at the quality of the production. There were some simple rules adhered to: a) show what you can afford to show, b) get some kick-ass actors and c) get top-notch sound people & composers. It looks and feels like a bigger budget than it is - very creative writing, directing and editing, I guess.

By the way, I hope everybody gets a chance to see the short films in the special features of the DVD. They are very interesting, experimental and one of them totally reminds me of Begotten (1990).

Final Statement - this belongs in a collection, not for blood-soaked cinema, but for it's creativeness in producing an effective horror film that proves you don't need a massive budget to make a compelling movie. Anyone in film school should buy a copy of this and learn how a master filmmaker can create a lot from a little.

Dog Soldiers (2001)

2009-10-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

4.5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Status - Cult Classic

The Skinny
Some soldiers are sent into the Scottish wilderness for a training exercise and they soon discover they are up against one hell of a threat - incredibly fast and strong werewolf creatures.

The Sounds
Holy gunfire! The sound effects were amazing and the score was incredibly heavy at times. Perfect soundtrack design for a timeless horror/action flick. The creature sounds were so original, I searched endlessly to find out how they were made. This is a great listening experience for aspiring sound designers.

The Sights
I like when filmmakers use in-camera effects and wardrobe/make-up to get the visuals across as computer-generated images can sometimes look fake when shown too much. But, showing too much of anything can look questionable. The fast-paced editing puts you in a frenzied mood and the gore was shot really well, but the creatures are shown a bit too much at the end.

The Summary
Anybody making a horror movie should feel privileged to work with such good actors & actresses. It almost plays as a "drama with gore" because the performances are so believable. I walked past this DVD on the Blockbuster shelf for almost six months before I decided to rent it and I am glad I finally took the chance - it became an instant favorite! You want action, blood AND good acting? You got it!

Final Statement - A KEEPER! Anybody who is into horror and cult films should own a copy of this and watch it late at night and in the dark, every year or so. Neil Marshall has one of the best debuts ever with Dog Soldiers.

Beerfest (2006)

2009-10-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Beerfest - 4/5

Review by : The Evildeerhead

Status - Potential Cult Classic

The Skinny
Two American brothers, with German heritage, go to Germany for Oktoberfest. They discover a secret, underground beer-Olympics and train to enter into the games. It's a very funny trip with secret plots and crazy characters and it's all based on beer, so it has to be fun.

The Sounds
The music is a mish-mash collection of rock, country, techno and more, all with the central theme of alcohol...or feeling like it. The crowd scenes underground were super powerful and really got the viewer into a competitive mood.

The Sights
Very well shot film and the beer-training scenes were hilarious. The underground games were very inventive and hyped up versions of what almost any college boy would get involved in. Some of the camera angles were very well executed. Girls might be offended by the over-the-top scantily clad ladies who cat-fight, but then, they may actually understand that it is not simply there for eye candy, it's showing how ridiculous it is (similar to Scary Movie nudity).

The Summary
Before I watched it, I thought this might be another Club Dread or, at least as funny as Super Troopers, the latter being the better of the two films. Beerfest was much funnier than I thought it was going to be and so it will become a tradition to watch it once a year in October.

Final Statement - a keeper for beer fans and fans of quirky, adult comedy. If there ever is a special edition, I will buy it as well - for my collection, not for playing.

Zombieland (2009)

2009-10-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

Zombieland - 4/5 (No spoilers here, just generalizations)

Review by : Frankenfoot (remember, this review is about the potential for cult status and collection worthiness, not just overall quality).

Status - Potential Cult Classic

The Skinny
The world is full of zombies, again, and a nerd joins forces with a tough guy to kick zombie ass and stay alive. It's funny. The humor starts to fade a little after the first 20 minutes or so, then comes back with some seriously funny parts.

The Sounds
I don't know why the opening music sounded so brash, the rest of the soundtrack was of very good quality. I think the pop music was over-used and stuck in this time period, but most of the music rocked and really worked with the visuals. The actual score was good, when it was used for storytelling purposes.

The zombie sounds are as creepy as any modern zombie flick, but not as scary as a straight horror - maybe because we know it's a comedy.

The Sights
The opening credits were very cool and the titles/graphics were unique and funny - up to a point. The blood and guts were just as good as the Dawn of the Dead remake or even 28 Days Later. Some slo-mo scenes were seriously entertaining.

The Summary
The humor waned before the half-way point (not only in my opinion, but also judging by the audience reaction to some lines). Then, it redeemed itself and started to be really funny again. It was kind of like a funny guy at a party that talks too much and the laughter turns to 'polite laughter'. But, it did get back on track.

I was hoping it would have a couple of more action scenes and keep the slow scenes to a minimum, as it was just over 80 mins. There were some really funny parts and, overall, it was quite entertaining - even if some visual effects were getting tired.

Final Statement - this will be a keeper, but not as re-watchable as some keepers. The music will eventually date it, like The Thomas Crown Affair (60's), which is a good movie, but stuck in a time period. Therefore, it will be a classic, but not a timeless one.

Storm Warning (2007)

2009-10-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

Storm Warning - 4/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Status - Hidden Gem

The Skinny
A couple rent a boat and get lost, in Australia, then a storm approaches and they decide the get help at a local farmhouse. The people that live there, two sons and a father, are not the kind of people you would like to be isolated with. Power struggles ensue after much mental manipulation and the results are...bloody and disgusting (but necessary).

The Sounds
Nothing was out of the ordinary and the sounds suited the film well - the visuals dominated.

The Sights
After a long build-up, we get to see a heavy pay-off when all hell breaks loose. Oh, and there is blood!

The Summary
I took a chance on this after seeing one copy on the video store shelf, looking lonely and bloody. I was quite surprised and thought the acting was great and very disturbingly believable. I have seen it twice and will see it again next year because it is done really well.

Final Statement - worth collecting, if you are a horror fan. It's not a regular horror film, it's a different take on the genre and well acted, as mentioned, so it plays like a 'bloody drama' instead; kind of like 'Open Water' but with drooling land sharks.

The Devil's Rejects (2005)

2009-10-08T05:10:00.000-07:00

Devil's Rejects - 5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Status - Potential Cult Classic

The Skinny
A raw & gritty sequel to 'House of 1000 Corpses', but surpasses it in many ways. It's almost as if the director got so pissed off, he made this one from the gut, with a 'take no prisoners' attitude. Awesome!!

The Sounds
Spooky! Again with the counterpoint! But it works so well - I'm talking about the 'Freebird' scene at the end - holy crap! I am telling you, the sound design for this flick and for 1000 corpses is among the best there is.

The Sights
Not so colorful this time around, which is perfect for the tone of the film (and I do mean 'film', not movie). It's like they rented the perfect film camera and smeared dirt on the lens. This is just plain creepy and I am afraid of the psycho family - especially Sid Haig. I was not crazy about Sheri Moon Zombie's acting, but she seemed to really try hard and I don't hold that against the film, because she had her moments when I believed she was that deranged.

The Summary
We need more Rob Zombie films. Filmmakers like me, who write and direct personal, smaller projects for ten or twelve bucks, and work on whatever commercial projects we can to hone our skills, live vicariously through filmmakers like Rob Zombie. I actually went and bought this DVD as soon as I could after renting it because I reserved a space for it on my shelf.

Final Statement - A keeper! Buy it, love it, be afraid and have a bit of twisted fun.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

2009-10-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

House of 1000 Corpses - 3/5

Review by : The Evildeerhead

Status - Potential Cult Classic

The Skinny
A colorful look at 'lost young people' horror films of the past. Or, should I say the "Don't go in that house to use their phone!" horror movies of the past. Quirky, flashy, gross and over-stylized - definitely style over substance.

The Sounds
If you like music videos, this is great. If you like counterpoint, look no further. The music is way cool and the use of "I remember You" (by Slim Whitman) is totally freakin' awesome! There is definite sound design genius going on here!

The Sights
Yes, colorful & flashy, as mentioned above, but it doesn't cover up the questionable acting, which can ruin it for me at times. The visuals are very well designed, though, with creepy images and blood and flesh and all sorts of grossness - just like I like my horror movies. The make-up effects were top of the line.

The Summary
I watched it and thought: "Enhh. I'll buy a copy if I can get it cheap enough, but I'm not rushing to a store any time soon." It's okay, but it lacks something and I think it works better as a party backdrop than a horror movie. It's like a long, hip music video with some dialogue that resembles a storyline.

You can't 'try' to be cool, you just are or are not. But I tell you, it's quite a piece of work and an amazing effort which successfully contributes to the annals of American Horror Cinema. Sid Haig is freakin' awesome!

Final Statement - a collectible for those who like flashy, colorful, nightmares projected against a giant wall during a Halloween party.

Jacob's Ladder (1990)

2009-10-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Jacob's Ladder - 5/5

Review by : Frankenfoot

Status - Mainstream Cult Classic

The Skinny
Great psycho-horror which looks great, sounds great and has a great ending. A perfect film-watching experience for fans of psych-horror and related genres.

The Sounds
The soundtrack is a carefully crafted sound-scape, drawing you in, freaking you out, then letting you off easy. The fantasy-style helicopter sounds are really hypnotic as are some of the music cues, especially during the sexy party.

The Sights
Nightmarish. Surreal. Horrific. Beautiful. Those words come to mind. The journey you are taken on shifts realities, which are all so believable, you don't know what to believe. The 'in-camera' effects are awesome and scary, the 'hospital descension' scene will linger for eternity.

The Summary
Great movie for a collection. A 'true collectible' can be measured by the different formats in which it is produced and purchased over the years. This one was great on VHS, DVD and I would love to see it on Blu-Ray!

Final Statement - a true keeper, in any format. Twisted elegance.