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KyleQ (267 KP) rated Halloween II (2009) in Movies
Jul 20, 2020
Honestly, I thought this was best entry in the series since Carpenter's Original.
Halloween II opens up with a hospital sequence referencing the original Halloween II, and honestly, this hospital scene was not only the most intense and frightening sequence from a Halloween movie, but it was also one of the most frightening and intense sequences I've seen period.
After that Halloween II delves into wholly original territory.
Scout Taylor Compton's Laurie Strode is suffering from PTSD, she lives with her bestie Annie Brackett (Danielle Harris) and Annie's dad, Lee Brackett (Brad Douriff). The sight of Annie causes Laurie to remember that which pains her, straining their relationship. Laurie feels like she is losing her sanity, she's even dreamt of her mother (Sheri Moon Zombie) with a white horse, calling for her.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm Mcdowell), truly believing Michael (Tyler Mane) to be dead, is getting rich off of his book which tells the story of the first film. Loomis is now wholly enveloped with this world.
But Michael is returning to Haddonfield once more.
I can see why longtime fans would have trouble getting into this. Michael's look has been changed for the first time, in parts he doesn't wear his mask, he dresses like a hobo, he has long hair and a great big bushy beard.
The movie also obviously takes characters into strange and different directions than previous installments.
But I don't think that's reason enough to hate it and bash it.
Halloween II is one the most brutal, intense, and disturbing horror movies I've seen in a while, and frankly, that's what I want in a horror movie. Horror should try to frighten and disturb its viewers.
It's a very original entry, but well worth it if you have an open mind.
I minus one star because I don't understand the white horse, it feels pointless, otherwise, I thought it was great!
After that Halloween II delves into wholly original territory.
Scout Taylor Compton's Laurie Strode is suffering from PTSD, she lives with her bestie Annie Brackett (Danielle Harris) and Annie's dad, Lee Brackett (Brad Douriff). The sight of Annie causes Laurie to remember that which pains her, straining their relationship. Laurie feels like she is losing her sanity, she's even dreamt of her mother (Sheri Moon Zombie) with a white horse, calling for her.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm Mcdowell), truly believing Michael (Tyler Mane) to be dead, is getting rich off of his book which tells the story of the first film. Loomis is now wholly enveloped with this world.
But Michael is returning to Haddonfield once more.
I can see why longtime fans would have trouble getting into this. Michael's look has been changed for the first time, in parts he doesn't wear his mask, he dresses like a hobo, he has long hair and a great big bushy beard.
The movie also obviously takes characters into strange and different directions than previous installments.
But I don't think that's reason enough to hate it and bash it.
Halloween II is one the most brutal, intense, and disturbing horror movies I've seen in a while, and frankly, that's what I want in a horror movie. Horror should try to frighten and disturb its viewers.
It's a very original entry, but well worth it if you have an open mind.
I minus one star because I don't understand the white horse, it feels pointless, otherwise, I thought it was great!
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Annabelle: Creation (2017) in Movies
Oct 25, 2020
This damn doll just isn't scary, people - and neither is this movie, not a single time. However, for about half the time it does succeed at being effectively creepy and sometimes even sort of fun. I mean this is still just the same two or three rusty clichΓ©s and dated, predictable jumpscares on repeat but it has a lot of half-okay vignettes... which all get soured by the surfeit of nonsensical connections to other movies in the series and the insufferable "Hey, remember when THIS happened??" bullcrap. For one I wish they'd let David F. Sandberg be David F. Sandberg here instead of yet another inferior Wan clone like they do with the rest of these. And for two I'm not the first to suggest that this movie being more concerned with milking the Conjuring mythos dry of any miniscule amount of nuance it once had through attempting to spin it thin into some sort of pointless, scuffed 'cinematic universe' kills the standalone decent horror flick this could have been (as well as devalues the originals in the process) - and I hopefully won't be the last - but Jesus Christ did it have to be so fucking long too? When this script was written, did every sentence have to include at least three sets of ellipses between words? Also the non-horror stuff is worlds better than the horror stuff - personally I would have loved to have seen the movie that was pushed to the side in here about this group of orphans finding out something isn't right with Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto or the secretive demonic stuff they've been cooking up in the background after their daughter gets killed. But no, it rushes past all the intriguing stuff in favor of a competent but saccharine and generic cash grab. Far from awful but also not all that much better than the original ππ―π―π’π£π¦πππ¦. Did we really need a prequel... to a prequel (which in and of itself we didn't need)?
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated It: Chapter Two (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020
Pennywise Returns - Not As Scary As Chapter 1, But Still Great
It Chapter 2 is a 2019 supernatural/horror movie directed by Andy Muschietti from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman. It was produced by New Line Cinema, Double Dream, Vertigo Entertainment, and Rideback, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Bill Skarsgard.
The evil clown Pennywise returns to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine after being defeated by the members of the Losers' Club 27 years ago. The childhood friends have long since gone their separate ways but are called home to keep their promise by Mike Harlon who never moved away. Not quite remembering everything from their past but each traumatized by their own scars, the Loser must conquer their fears and destroy Pennywise for good.
This movie was great. Personally, I think chapter 1 was better, but this film definitely didn't disappoint. Right from the beginning it set the tone with a opening scene of a gay couple being severely beaten. I really liked the casting and who they chose to portray the children of the Losers club, they did a great job. The acting from everyone was good, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader's performances were superb. I enjoyed how this movie expanded on the lore of Pennywise and his origin. Even with a long run time, it didn't feel like a super long movie. To me some of the most enjoyable parts were the flashbacks where you got to see the younger cast. It was good that they had a big part in this movie too. I give this movie an 8/10 and it also gets my "Must See Seal Of Approval".
The evil clown Pennywise returns to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine after being defeated by the members of the Losers' Club 27 years ago. The childhood friends have long since gone their separate ways but are called home to keep their promise by Mike Harlon who never moved away. Not quite remembering everything from their past but each traumatized by their own scars, the Loser must conquer their fears and destroy Pennywise for good.
This movie was great. Personally, I think chapter 1 was better, but this film definitely didn't disappoint. Right from the beginning it set the tone with a opening scene of a gay couple being severely beaten. I really liked the casting and who they chose to portray the children of the Losers club, they did a great job. The acting from everyone was good, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader's performances were superb. I enjoyed how this movie expanded on the lore of Pennywise and his origin. Even with a long run time, it didn't feel like a super long movie. To me some of the most enjoyable parts were the flashbacks where you got to see the younger cast. It was good that they had a big part in this movie too. I give this movie an 8/10 and it also gets my "Must See Seal Of Approval".
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated It: Chapter Two (2019) in Movies
Oct 3, 2019
The acting (1 more)
The humour
Very funny for a horror movie
Contains spoilers, click to show
I enjoyed the first chapter so had to watch the second. I have read it is much closer to the book than the 80s version, however having never read the book i can't comment on that element.
The movie is set years after the first one and the loser gang have now gone their seperate ways, All but one had moved out of derry, some of them have a successful career and Beverly is unfortunately in an abusive marriage, but all this changes when they get the dreaded phone call to come back to derry - pennywise has returned and needs to be destroyed for good! The first few minutes of the movie where we are reintroduced to the characters is pretty slow going but once they meet up at the restaurant, things move pretty quickly and you forget how long the movie actually is. What i found with this movie though is how funny it is, not just at the humour between the group but the different monsters we meet, for example a zombie knew how to drive a car ππ. I was a little disappointed with the ending as i expected something spectacular to kill him, but it was literally just belittling pennywise until he shrunk down into a baby like form and then removing his heart and squeezing it until he dies, it just seemed too easy! I'm also surprised that they still had him tramsform into a spider like form, despite people not liking the original ending, again though this might be in the book. Regardless of these faults though i still enjoyed the movie and highly recommend it.
The movie is set years after the first one and the loser gang have now gone their seperate ways, All but one had moved out of derry, some of them have a successful career and Beverly is unfortunately in an abusive marriage, but all this changes when they get the dreaded phone call to come back to derry - pennywise has returned and needs to be destroyed for good! The first few minutes of the movie where we are reintroduced to the characters is pretty slow going but once they meet up at the restaurant, things move pretty quickly and you forget how long the movie actually is. What i found with this movie though is how funny it is, not just at the humour between the group but the different monsters we meet, for example a zombie knew how to drive a car ππ. I was a little disappointed with the ending as i expected something spectacular to kill him, but it was literally just belittling pennywise until he shrunk down into a baby like form and then removing his heart and squeezing it until he dies, it just seemed too easy! I'm also surprised that they still had him tramsform into a spider like form, despite people not liking the original ending, again though this might be in the book. Regardless of these faults though i still enjoyed the movie and highly recommend it.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated It (2017) in Movies
Sep 28, 2017
Bill Skarsgard (2 more)
Awesome cast of kids
The first ten minutes was amazing
Was amazed and deeply disturbed by this movie
I went into this movie thinking it couldn't possibly top the 90's version, and in some ways i was correct.
First and foremost the first ten minutes of the movie had me on the edge of my seat... From the second Georgie meets our favorite clown from down under the streets you just know something is going to happen... something more than what happened in the previous version of the film. And boy did this deliver in a gruesome and disturbing fashion.
This movie had me waiting in anticipation for every appearance of Pennywise, played masterfully by Bill Skarsgard. He brought the dread and fear to the part and Tim Curry must be proud of his adaptation of a character that he defined in the earlier film as an iconic horror villian. Skarsgard, while bringing his own terrorizing portrayal to the movie, plays the part with the same gusto as Curry did. Making the viewer shudder with his every appearance on screen.
The children almost steal the show from Skarsgard, especially Finn Wolfhard, who's reimaging of Richie is spot on to what I thought he should have been in the old film. Wolfhard was hilarious in his delivery of the "your mom" jokes with Eddie, played by the extremely talented Jack Grazer, and he was also completely believable in his fear. All of these kids were amazing in their respective roles. And I can not wait to see who they will have play them in Chapter 2.
So if your looking for a good time film that will have you amazed as well as revolted, look no further than this movie.
IT was exactly what i was looking for in a date movie.
It scared me, tickled my funny bone, and had me waiting for more.
First and foremost the first ten minutes of the movie had me on the edge of my seat... From the second Georgie meets our favorite clown from down under the streets you just know something is going to happen... something more than what happened in the previous version of the film. And boy did this deliver in a gruesome and disturbing fashion.
This movie had me waiting in anticipation for every appearance of Pennywise, played masterfully by Bill Skarsgard. He brought the dread and fear to the part and Tim Curry must be proud of his adaptation of a character that he defined in the earlier film as an iconic horror villian. Skarsgard, while bringing his own terrorizing portrayal to the movie, plays the part with the same gusto as Curry did. Making the viewer shudder with his every appearance on screen.
The children almost steal the show from Skarsgard, especially Finn Wolfhard, who's reimaging of Richie is spot on to what I thought he should have been in the old film. Wolfhard was hilarious in his delivery of the "your mom" jokes with Eddie, played by the extremely talented Jack Grazer, and he was also completely believable in his fear. All of these kids were amazing in their respective roles. And I can not wait to see who they will have play them in Chapter 2.
So if your looking for a good time film that will have you amazed as well as revolted, look no further than this movie.
IT was exactly what i was looking for in a date movie.
It scared me, tickled my funny bone, and had me waiting for more.
Chris Sawin (602 KP) rated Visitor Q (2001) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Visitor Q is Takashi Miike's take on reality television. If you've never seen a Takashi Miike film, then prepare yourself to be shocked and to see things you've never seen in a movie before. Visitor Q focuses around the Yamazaki family. Kiyoshi, the father, used to be a television broadcaster and is trying to come up with ideas for a new reality television show. Keiko, the mother, is verbally and physically abused by her son. She and Kiyoshi pretty much allow it to happen, but her only rule is that her son doesn't mess up her face. Takuya, the son, is picked on by bullies even while he's at home. A visitor shows up at the house after hitting Kiyoshi over the head with a rock...twice. Their lives get even more screwed up as he shows up and it's all caught on camera.
If you watch this movie, you might as well know what you're getting yourself into. This movie not only contains "strong aberrant sexual and violent content, language and drug use" as stated by the MPAA when giving the movie an R rating, but it also contains incest, necrophilia, and just things that people will find disturbing in general. Like a woman lactating from her nipples and having it squirt all over the place. I'm just trying to give you fair warning just in case you're thinking about watching a movie that you won't be able to finish. It's not for everybody and just know that you're in for a wild ride.
That's not to say that the movie isn't enjoyable though. Even though it deals with a lot of disturbing material, there's some comedy in there. The fact that the visitor(he never really says what his name is) bashes people over the head with a rock just because he can is kind of hilarious. To tell the truth, it kept me watching because this family was so messed up. And the way Kiyoshi lost his broadcasting job will be remembered...forever.
Takashi Miike is known quite well in the horror community for pushing the envelope in movies like Ichi the Killer and Imprint, so horror fans know that if they know they're watching a movie done by Miike that they're going to see some material they won't see anywhere else. Casual movie fans may not be interested in shock value or movies that are this disturbing. Visitor Q not only pushes the envelope, it pays for postage and insurance as well.
The bottom line is that if you want to be grossed out or have a bunch of wtf moments, rent Visitor Q or any Takashi Miike film for that matter.
If you watch this movie, you might as well know what you're getting yourself into. This movie not only contains "strong aberrant sexual and violent content, language and drug use" as stated by the MPAA when giving the movie an R rating, but it also contains incest, necrophilia, and just things that people will find disturbing in general. Like a woman lactating from her nipples and having it squirt all over the place. I'm just trying to give you fair warning just in case you're thinking about watching a movie that you won't be able to finish. It's not for everybody and just know that you're in for a wild ride.
That's not to say that the movie isn't enjoyable though. Even though it deals with a lot of disturbing material, there's some comedy in there. The fact that the visitor(he never really says what his name is) bashes people over the head with a rock just because he can is kind of hilarious. To tell the truth, it kept me watching because this family was so messed up. And the way Kiyoshi lost his broadcasting job will be remembered...forever.
Takashi Miike is known quite well in the horror community for pushing the envelope in movies like Ichi the Killer and Imprint, so horror fans know that if they know they're watching a movie done by Miike that they're going to see some material they won't see anywhere else. Casual movie fans may not be interested in shock value or movies that are this disturbing. Visitor Q not only pushes the envelope, it pays for postage and insurance as well.
The bottom line is that if you want to be grossed out or have a bunch of wtf moments, rent Visitor Q or any Takashi Miike film for that matter.
Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated Midsommar (2019) in Movies
Jul 14, 2019
Just saw Midsommar. This is a very artsy horror movie, as is expected from A24 and Ari Aster. The cinematography for this movie was unreal. I really felt like I was sinking into a trip and almost felt nauseated a few times. So, bravo on the camera work. It's a visually stunning film, very beautifully shot. Aside from the opening scene, which gives a disturbing surprise start to things that I didn't see coming, the rest of the film becomes fairly predictable as the festival gets in motion. I'm not saying that as a bad thing though, this isn't really one of those trying to surprise and scare you type of movies. It's a, how can I put it, let's go on this trip and really horrific experience together type of movie. After the movie several of us, not knowing each other, that had just watched Midsommar together gathered out in the bright lights of the theater hallway and we immediately felt like family. We stared at each other for a moment, was half expecting to hug, and we were all like what just happened? I broke the ice and said I feel like we all just tripped really hard together. We kinda laughed and agreed and pretty much everyone was just stating in their own words that they were trying process what a weirdly, disturbing, trip of a movie that was. Then we all parted ways and danced back into the real world. I've never been happier to see the sunset on my drive back home.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated 1922 (2017) in Movies
Oct 20, 2017
Excellent screenplay from a great short story (1 more)
Thomas Jane is amazing
Just a good old fashioned ghost story
I try not to put too much stock in Netflix produced Horror Films. I Am The Pretty Thing... Was not so great, and prior King offering Gerald's Game could've been better.
But they got this one right. It was creepy as shit.
A true slow burn o a movie, it drags a little in the beginning, but the slow spiral downward in to true dread for Jane's character is felt by audience members.
A true story of a man's slow decent into insanity and desperation that makes only the most heartfelt viewer feels for poor ol' Wilf.
All in all, this is a good offering by Netflix. I hope they follow it up with something just as good.
Dread is as good as fear when it comes to the horror genre. And dread is what this makes you feel.
But they got this one right. It was creepy as shit.
A true slow burn o a movie, it drags a little in the beginning, but the slow spiral downward in to true dread for Jane's character is felt by audience members.
A true story of a man's slow decent into insanity and desperation that makes only the most heartfelt viewer feels for poor ol' Wilf.
All in all, this is a good offering by Netflix. I hope they follow it up with something just as good.
Dread is as good as fear when it comes to the horror genre. And dread is what this makes you feel.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Freddy vs. Jason (2003) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019
The guiltiest of pleasures
It's always fun and when we get something like this.- two horror icons going toe to toe, but was Freddy vs. Jason ever destined to be a good film?
No. No it was not. Freddy vs. Jason is pretty damn terrible.
The human cast are hugely unlikable - but I imagine that's the point, as when the slaughter begins, it's easy to find yourself rooting for the killers.
The effects have aged pretty badly, but for all it's shortcomings, it's definitely the kind of movie I will always watch when it's on. Its fun enough to be enjoyable.
It's hard to imagine anyone but Robert Englund in the role of Freddy, so it's nice to see him once again in a more modern film before he was recast.
In terms of horror - it's not a particularly scary film, but its pretty gory - and the kills are pretty ludicrous.
Worth a watch just for what it is.
No. No it was not. Freddy vs. Jason is pretty damn terrible.
The human cast are hugely unlikable - but I imagine that's the point, as when the slaughter begins, it's easy to find yourself rooting for the killers.
The effects have aged pretty badly, but for all it's shortcomings, it's definitely the kind of movie I will always watch when it's on. Its fun enough to be enjoyable.
It's hard to imagine anyone but Robert Englund in the role of Freddy, so it's nice to see him once again in a more modern film before he was recast.
In terms of horror - it's not a particularly scary film, but its pretty gory - and the kills are pretty ludicrous.
Worth a watch just for what it is.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Happy Death Day (2017) in Movies
Aug 12, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
Happy Death Day is far more enjoyable than it has any right to be - a PG-13 rated horror version of Groundhog Day sounds pretty uninteresting on paper, but it absolutely doesn't take itself seriously, and that works in it's favour.
The basic plot premise is nothing new, and has been done better in films like Edge of Tomorrow, but it has fun with it.
Every side character is set up to have a motive, so the identity of the masked killer is well hidden, and keeps you guessing throughout.
The lead actress Jessica Rothe is really good fun, as her character goes through a personality shift as she learns to appreciate the people in her life instead of being a total douche. (This would usually be an eye rolling plot point, but the film genuinely lands some good emotional beats)
It's definitely a far cry from being a classic horror film (that PG-13 rating is a potential contributor) but it's honestly a fun movie.
The basic plot premise is nothing new, and has been done better in films like Edge of Tomorrow, but it has fun with it.
Every side character is set up to have a motive, so the identity of the masked killer is well hidden, and keeps you guessing throughout.
The lead actress Jessica Rothe is really good fun, as her character goes through a personality shift as she learns to appreciate the people in her life instead of being a total douche. (This would usually be an eye rolling plot point, but the film genuinely lands some good emotional beats)
It's definitely a far cry from being a classic horror film (that PG-13 rating is a potential contributor) but it's honestly a fun movie.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) Jul 21, 2020