Search
Search results
Vegas (725 KP) rated Ready or Not (2019) in Movies
Feb 20, 2020
Very strong cast (1 more)
The black humour
A fun horror rather than a gory horror
I really enjoy horrors, thrillers and dramas set predominantly in mansions, stately homes castles, chateaux etc so it gets off to a good start. The setting has a feel of a cross between Clue and the original Sleuth... Both of which are among my favourite films...
Marrying into a family who made their money through games all new family members have to play a random game, most harmless but draw one card and you are in for a bumpy ride, and might not see the night through...
An oddball bunch of family members make this a fun horror movie rather than a gory or suspenseful one, even though there is a lot of blood and gore it doesn't feel like it, it's certainly not like watching the Saw franchise, the black humour works brilliantly alongside the serious moments and you can really get behind Samara Weavings character, trying to remain alive in a cat and mouse chase around the Mansion with her portrayal of newlywed Grace who instead of spending her wedding night with her husband ends up playing a scary and dangerous game of hide and seek with her new family...
A well made film that delights with its humour, made stronger by the cast and not a stereotypical usage of the usual, lone girl (potential) victim/survivor seen in other horror films.
Marrying into a family who made their money through games all new family members have to play a random game, most harmless but draw one card and you are in for a bumpy ride, and might not see the night through...
An oddball bunch of family members make this a fun horror movie rather than a gory or suspenseful one, even though there is a lot of blood and gore it doesn't feel like it, it's certainly not like watching the Saw franchise, the black humour works brilliantly alongside the serious moments and you can really get behind Samara Weavings character, trying to remain alive in a cat and mouse chase around the Mansion with her portrayal of newlywed Grace who instead of spending her wedding night with her husband ends up playing a scary and dangerous game of hide and seek with her new family...
A well made film that delights with its humour, made stronger by the cast and not a stereotypical usage of the usual, lone girl (potential) victim/survivor seen in other horror films.
Consiglieri: Leading from the Shadows
Book
The key to success lies in getting to the top. Right? Wrong. Not everyone can be in charge but, more...
Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles
8.0
Rate It
Book
From the internationally bestselling author of the Sharpe novels - this is the true story of...
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Ravenous (2017) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020 (Updated Oct 29, 2020)
Some Brief Moments of Uniqueness From This Above Average Zombie Film
Contains spoilers, click to show
This movie was pretty good for a foreign zombie film. The zombies were well done and the blood and special effects were good too. For me the real thing that kept me interested was how they tried to change up the zombies by giving them this new and unique behavior where they started taking objects and stacking them up high in some kind of weird ritual. To me though this never fully pays off as it is never explained why or what they were doing. The movie did do well in its scenes where it built the tension and actually kept things scary, which some zombie films fail to do. I also liked the way they kept the theme on survival and they were constantly running for their lives or looking for a place to hunker down and stay safe. The zombie kills were pretty gruesome and they didn't shy away from the blood and gore when it came to blowing a zombie's head clean off with a shotgun or showing someone's bite wound continue to bleed as they slowly die. Still this movie suffered from their not being a more solid plot or story tying the people together and although some know each other, they never really say how. To me this movie was better than the average zombie movie but just barely. I give it 6/10.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Jason X (2001) in Movies
Feb 1, 2021
Jason X might be trash, but by God its glorious trash.
At this point, we're in full blown "fuck whatever has happened in the previous films" territory, with liberal splashings of narrative bullshit just to get Jason into a space setting, as he's cryogenically frozen only to be unwittingly thawed 450 years later aboard a spaceship, where he is snapped out of his slumber by teenagers shagging in another room. It's damn good then, that Jason X knows just how silly it is. The first Friday the 13th movie to release in a post Scream landscape, its self awareness gives it a much needed pass, as Jason slashes his way through a suspiciously 2000s looking cast.
The set looks cheap as hell, the CGI is terrible, the script is overspilling with cheesy one liners and puns, most of the characters are generally forgettable or unlikable, but despite all of this, it's an incredibly enjoyable film. Kane Hodder is back (sadly, for the last time movie wise) as Jason and once again cuts an imposing figure (especially when Uber Jason infamously rocks up near the films climax) and just to top it off, there's an inexplicable David Cronenberg cameo near the beginning.
Jason X is obviously flawed, but it's a damn good time, isn't boring, and boasts some decent gore. A two star film that I would recommend to anyone. Final thought - it's weird that Jason has a full head of hair in this...
At this point, we're in full blown "fuck whatever has happened in the previous films" territory, with liberal splashings of narrative bullshit just to get Jason into a space setting, as he's cryogenically frozen only to be unwittingly thawed 450 years later aboard a spaceship, where he is snapped out of his slumber by teenagers shagging in another room. It's damn good then, that Jason X knows just how silly it is. The first Friday the 13th movie to release in a post Scream landscape, its self awareness gives it a much needed pass, as Jason slashes his way through a suspiciously 2000s looking cast.
The set looks cheap as hell, the CGI is terrible, the script is overspilling with cheesy one liners and puns, most of the characters are generally forgettable or unlikable, but despite all of this, it's an incredibly enjoyable film. Kane Hodder is back (sadly, for the last time movie wise) as Jason and once again cuts an imposing figure (especially when Uber Jason infamously rocks up near the films climax) and just to top it off, there's an inexplicable David Cronenberg cameo near the beginning.
Jason X is obviously flawed, but it's a damn good time, isn't boring, and boasts some decent gore. A two star film that I would recommend to anyone. Final thought - it's weird that Jason has a full head of hair in this...
Morgan Spurlock recommended Scanners (1981) in Movies (curated)
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Saw II (2005) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
Guttural. Few other horror franchises loathe their characters as deeply and as passionately as 𝘚𝘢𝘸 - not even two minutes into the movie and it already proceeds to chuck these people down the garbage disposal without remorse. Has the worst outlook possible on life as a whole, revels in such an instantaneous breakdown of the human body and mind. Trades out the 'knucklehead Shakespeare' vibes of the original to double down on its endlessly creative gore, which is a fair tradeoff if we can't get both I guess. Can't believe this is the same Darren Lynn who directed 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘭 - which I not only am beginning to dislike more and more with each revisit to the originals, but which also gets next to no points for being pro-ACAB when this one did it first *and* better 16 years prior. Filled with a multitude of anxious cuts and cool-as-hell camera trickeries (plus such a tantalizing MTV filth aesthetic), often unfairly shunned for being amateurish I'd actually argue the opposite - quick flashes of people in agony, everyone turning against each other and scrambling for answers with each passing second, visually emulating the final stages of a person's fight-or-flight mode like no other horror series before or after. The hypodermic needle pit still remains an all-time skin-crawler. In an age filled with such intolerably self-conscious bleakness in cinema, it's refreshing to see it done so sincerely with these.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Serial Mom (1994) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
"𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳?"
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵!"
𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵: 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘐𝘐. Does anyone do the satirization of stuck-up suburban values as originally and/or as brutally entertaining as John Waters? Most other directors would have turned this into a threadbare lecture that refused to have any sort of fun. But here we have this beautiful concoction of B-movie theatrics, gore, pitch-perfect performances, jovial filth, rock-solid lampooning, and A1 comedy - so lovingly inspired by low-budget camp and slashers of the 60s-80s that it honestly could pass off as one in many respects. Kathleen Turner is a live wire - in one of the most religiously entertaining female performances of all time, it has a blast radius that would make a military warhead quake. This is the type of role that just demands your attention, perpetually switching between these polar opposite demeanors at the drop of a hat with expert-level talent and all game for the ensuing absurdity. Which on its own would have been enough to carry 93 minutes of fun but then the film is also super clever and uproarious without rest. Had an ear-to-ear smile on my face for most of the runtime and laughed so often that my mouth began to give out mid-laugh due to the muscles simply being too worn out from overwork. Quotable as fuck and every scene is memorable, a total killer.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵!"
𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵: 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘐𝘐. Does anyone do the satirization of stuck-up suburban values as originally and/or as brutally entertaining as John Waters? Most other directors would have turned this into a threadbare lecture that refused to have any sort of fun. But here we have this beautiful concoction of B-movie theatrics, gore, pitch-perfect performances, jovial filth, rock-solid lampooning, and A1 comedy - so lovingly inspired by low-budget camp and slashers of the 60s-80s that it honestly could pass off as one in many respects. Kathleen Turner is a live wire - in one of the most religiously entertaining female performances of all time, it has a blast radius that would make a military warhead quake. This is the type of role that just demands your attention, perpetually switching between these polar opposite demeanors at the drop of a hat with expert-level talent and all game for the ensuing absurdity. Which on its own would have been enough to carry 93 minutes of fun but then the film is also super clever and uproarious without rest. Had an ear-to-ear smile on my face for most of the runtime and laughed so often that my mouth began to give out mid-laugh due to the muscles simply being too worn out from overwork. Quotable as fuck and every scene is memorable, a total killer.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Saw (2004) in Movies
Sep 26, 2020
The first Saw film has become tarnished over the years, due to the relentless shit filled wave of increasingly torturous (both for the audience and the characters) sequels, when really, Saw is a relatively low budget but super tight thriller.
The premise of a serial killer who kidnaps people who don't appreciate life itself, puts them in a dire situation, but gives them a chance to escape if they fight hard enough for it, is one that is intriguing, and captured the imagination of thousands - Jigsaw has since become an iconic horror antagonist.
The unlucky victims first time around are played by Cary Elwes and writer Leigh Whannell.
The two of them are situated in a very minimalist setting. It's grimy and nasty. Director James Wan works wonders with what little he has in that respect.
The cast also includes Danny Glover, which is always a win in my book.
The gore on show in Saw is pretty minimal compared to what's to come, but what we do see is effective and was just right - coupled with a plot that keeps the audience guessing until the final minute, it was enough to get everyone talking back in 2004.
And that ending absolutely shattered me on first watch. An iconic 'Gotcha!' moment for the ages.
Saw is a genuinely decent horror thriller and a rewarding experience for those that like a good twist. Just a shame about those sequels!
The premise of a serial killer who kidnaps people who don't appreciate life itself, puts them in a dire situation, but gives them a chance to escape if they fight hard enough for it, is one that is intriguing, and captured the imagination of thousands - Jigsaw has since become an iconic horror antagonist.
The unlucky victims first time around are played by Cary Elwes and writer Leigh Whannell.
The two of them are situated in a very minimalist setting. It's grimy and nasty. Director James Wan works wonders with what little he has in that respect.
The cast also includes Danny Glover, which is always a win in my book.
The gore on show in Saw is pretty minimal compared to what's to come, but what we do see is effective and was just right - coupled with a plot that keeps the audience guessing until the final minute, it was enough to get everyone talking back in 2004.
And that ending absolutely shattered me on first watch. An iconic 'Gotcha!' moment for the ages.
Saw is a genuinely decent horror thriller and a rewarding experience for those that like a good twist. Just a shame about those sequels!
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Uncle Peckerhead (2020) in Movies
Oct 11, 2020
Uncle Peckerhead is a silly name for a silly movie, but dammit, it's a movie that knows how to have a good time.
There's really not too much to grumble about with this punk rock splatter flick. For starters, it has a mostly likable cast, the highlight being David Littleton as the titular Peckerhead (Peck for short). Even though he's a flesh eating demon, he still comes across as a good dude who just wants to look after this young punk band he's taken on as travel companions. The interactions between him and Max (Jeff Riddle) are pretty hilarious. In fact, the film got a few good laughs out of me during it's runtime.
As a musician, I also appreciated the fairly accurate portrayal of what it's like playing live music at ground level. Audience's who don't care, sparsely populated venues, and the occasional promoter who turns out to be a douche (not my place to say if they deserve to get eaten or not...)
The gore in this film hits hard as well. It's fairly infrequent, but when it does come, it's pretty absurd and all achieved using some decent practical work.
I also enjoyed the soundtrack for the most part, and have been introduced to a great punk band called School Drugs through this film as well - another positive!
Uncle Peckerhead is a movie that doesn't take itself seriously, it's entertaining, gory, funny, and just a complete blast. Seek it out!
There's really not too much to grumble about with this punk rock splatter flick. For starters, it has a mostly likable cast, the highlight being David Littleton as the titular Peckerhead (Peck for short). Even though he's a flesh eating demon, he still comes across as a good dude who just wants to look after this young punk band he's taken on as travel companions. The interactions between him and Max (Jeff Riddle) are pretty hilarious. In fact, the film got a few good laughs out of me during it's runtime.
As a musician, I also appreciated the fairly accurate portrayal of what it's like playing live music at ground level. Audience's who don't care, sparsely populated venues, and the occasional promoter who turns out to be a douche (not my place to say if they deserve to get eaten or not...)
The gore in this film hits hard as well. It's fairly infrequent, but when it does come, it's pretty absurd and all achieved using some decent practical work.
I also enjoyed the soundtrack for the most part, and have been introduced to a great punk band called School Drugs through this film as well - another positive!
Uncle Peckerhead is a movie that doesn't take itself seriously, it's entertaining, gory, funny, and just a complete blast. Seek it out!