It (2017) Movie Review

The Trailer:

Video Review:

The Good:
"It" wastes very little time with getting to the good stuff. Within less than 10 mins into the film, we're already introduced to the horror that is Pennywise. What I really appreciated was that we didn't get the same old traditional horror movie setups. In most [jump-scare] horror films, we tend to get camera shots of an area that will later be used to have the monster pop out at you. While "It" does have a few scenes like that, it simply doesn't use that film tactic as a crutch.

Director Andy Muschiettie creatively uses a wide variety of camera angles and misdirection to place some timely jump-scares. Of course, pumping up the volume during those scary moments really helps get you out of your seat too. You will probably notice that this movie doesn't have one way to scare you either. A number of scare tactics that Pennywise uses on the other characters are very reminiscent of other horror films you may be familiar with. (i.e. The Exorcist, The Conjuring, Jeepers Creepers, etc.) It's that level of variety that keeps you from anticipating even the cheapest of scares throughout the film.

A pleasant surprise was the inclusion of so much humor in the film. Most of the comedic relief came from Finn Wolfhard (plays "Ritchie"). His wise cracking comments and foul mouth seemed to always lighten the eerie mood throughout the movie.

I think it's fair to say that Sophia Lillis ("Beverly") probably had the deepest role in the film as a character. Sophia delivered a great performance by balancing her complex emotions given her character's disturbing home life.

Of course, I've got to give some props to Bill Skarsgård who played the evil clown, Pennywise. While many will immediately draw comparisons to his predecessor, Tim Curry, I think Bill did the character justice. There was an eeriness to his character that gave you chills whenever you saw him on the screen. I thought it was really impressive to show Pennywise to be both charming and sadistic at the same time. If you weren't afraid of clowns before, he may just change that for you.

The Bad:
Unfortunately, "It" was not impervious from committing some of the major sins that a lot of other horror films do on a regular basis. The first issue was the revealing of the monsters or scary figures. In most of the scary moments when the kids are being terrified, the scenes are legitimately scary. That is, they're scary until we get a good long look at the actual monsters. Once we actually see what they look like (and notice the CGI effects), it kind of diminishes the sense of fear after the initial jump scare. It's almost like this film would go from Insidious to Goosebumps in a matter of moments.

Maybe this was a part of the books, but it's ridiculously annoying when characters in horror movies do the DUMBEST things in the movie. You already know what I'm talking about. They see something (that they know is a trick) and yet they proceed to go investigate. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying the whole "Well they're just kids" excuse because these are kids that know what they're dealing with at this point in the movie. If not, they at least would realistically be more afraid rather than to go investigate something in a creepy house, by themselves.

Lastly, again maybe this is a book thing, but I wasn't a real fan with the "over-adulting" of all the children. Many of the kids were not only using adult language and cursing, but engaging in a lot of crude adult jokes as well. It was also a bit disturbing to see what appeared to be the over-sexualizing of the children too. I guess if you know about that specific "bonding event" at the end of the novel, then it's kind of hard not to feel even more disturbed while watching this movie. (Parents be advised.)

The Reason:
Overall, I really enjoyed "It". Keep in mind that I'm speaking from the perspective of someone who hasn't read the book. (Though I read up on some of the excerpts.) I also haven't seen the original "It" (1990) movie or TV series in a very long time. So I'm really watching this movie similar to someone watching a Star Wars film for the first time, but already had common knowledge about Star Wars. (If you catch my drift.)

The film felt similar but different enough to be its own type of horror movie. If we were making this film into a salad you could think of it as a bowl of “Jeepers Creepers”, topped with some crunchy “Insidious”, and drenched with some "Are You Afraid of the Dark" all over it.

Since I didn't really watch "It" as a child, I never developed that sense of fear of clowns that people claim to have due to the original movie. I can probably say that this movie won't help you if you still have that fear. "It" is totally worth watching in theaters and I'd recommend checking it out.

The Rating: 8.5/10

My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Annabelle: Creation Movie Review

You can check out my review by clicking on the link below.

Annabelle: Creation Review

My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Alien: Covenant Movie Review

The Trailer:

Video Review: 

The Good:
Michael Fassbender gives a really effective performance. His character is by far one of the most intriguing ones to watch on the screen. He does an excellent job of displaying a wide range of emotions within his role that helps you gain insight into his character’s motivations. Along with Fassbender, Katherine Waterston continues the responsibility of being a strong feminine lead in the footsteps of Sigourney Weaver. I think I was probably the most impressed by Danny McBride's performance. If you're familiar with his comedic style, it'll be really refreshing to see him show a much deeper side when he's placed in difficult situations.

I really liked how there were a lot of religious themes throughout the film. There's a sense of tension between both logic/reason and faith. Without giving anything away, the religious themes play heavily in some characters. They really inform you as to the mental state of certain characters and their motivations.

The Xenomorph aliens are back and better than ever! These aliens were faster, stronger and so much more terrifying. They bring back the sense of horror that Alien (1979) brought to the table so long ago. Besides that, Alien Covenant does not shy away from the body gore that has made the film franchise so memorable. If you have a weak stomach then you will want to bring a vomit bag or something. Things are popping out of people, body parts flying around, and blood…lots of blood.

The Bad:
The pacing is a little long and unnecessary. Unlike in Prometheus where the slower pacing was necessary to help build the upcoming movie franchise, Covenant doesn’t need to follow suit in the same way. It was nice to see more dedication in building the mythology, but a lot of scenes, especially with the expendable crew, could’ve been cut.

Speaking of the crew, THEY WERE SO STUPID! It was almost like they were allergic to common sense. They created so many of their own problems that it's really hard to even care about them at all. Unfortunately, I have to lay that blame on the writing and directing. The characters and their dreadful situations were just really poor setups. I believe that in order to have an effective horror, you can't show us (the audience) something that we would say, “Why did you do that?!” We should see the characters doing things that we would do. That would help us relate much more with them and their state of terror. We should be able to feel sorry for them.

Lastly, the story itself is rather predictable. Full disclosure: I did end up watching a lot of the Prologue videos that 20th Century Fox has released. Unfortunately, if you pay a lot of attention to films the way I do, you'll put the pieces together really quickly. So for me (and maybe you) you may see the big reveals and plot twists coming from a mile away. I should also mention that I was really disappointed that we didn't get to see or learn too much about the Engineers either. While Prometheus teased us greatly into who/what they were, Covenant failed to deliver anything of substance to give us more information about them.

The Reason:
Alien Covenant is like Prometheus 1.5. If you didn’t know, Covenant is a direct sequel to Prometheus. If you're still confused about what order you should watch the movies in, watch my video below about "Everything You Need To Know Before Watching Alien Covenant".

With that said, it’s really important for you to watch Prometheus first. If you haven’t seen Prometheus in a while, you should still watch it again since Covenant picks up just 10 years after Prometheus. If you've never seen Prometheus, I’d recommend watching the Blu-Ray with the alternate/deleted scenes. That helps to explain more of the story. (Click here for an Amazon link)

Director Ridley Scott has previously announced that he had four more sequels to add on to this current Alien franchise. He then dialed back on that announcement and said maybe two more or so. Either way, don’t expect Covenant to answer all the burning questions you may have had in Prometheus. If anything, Covenant may raise new questions.

Alien: Covenant is definitely worth the watch in theaters. If you’ve been a fan of the franchise then you’ll probably like the fact that Covenant draws from a lot of the things that you may have enjoyed with the previous Alien movies.

The Rating: 8/10
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My [Loosely based] Ratings scale

10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Dig Two Graves Movie Review

The Trailer:

The Good:
One thing that this film does rather well is maintain an eerie and creepy feeling. The three mysterious "gypsy brothers". There was always a sense of mystery and terror when they appeared on the screen. The entire time, it felt like they left it completely in the gray as to whether they were actually supernaturally powered or not. Beyond that the themes explored are pretty deep. It's really interesting to see how things like grief, sorry, revenge and regret all can come together in various ways.

Another nice aspect to the film was the dual story line. While the film starts off with an event from the past, it also tells a story in a different time a few decades later. The best part of this is that we never get to really see what the past story has to do with the current time until the very end. That helped keep the mystery and intrigue alive, not just in the story, but in the characters as well.

Ted Levine (who plays the Sheriff) does a great job of playing the role of man trying to deal with the errors of his past  while still trying to do the right thing. He probably was the most interesting character given the fact that his actions in the past are what draws you to his character. Overall the direction and acting seemed very well done by Hunter Adams. The movie feels really unique in its tone and the direction that it takes.

The Bad:
Maybe I missed something, but I thought that some of the mystical elements could've been explained a little more. With most horror films, there are usually rules in that "universe" to help us understand the ins and outs of the situation. Given the incident that occurred in the more current time, it was a little difficult to understand the motivation the Brothers had with the young girl. While the connection is somewhat revealed later in the film, I just think that it satisfied the personal motivation that the brothers had, but not necessarily the (maybe) supernatural implications. This is also probably due to my own expectations with how the film was marketed. I was looking for a supernatural horror, but the film goes in its own direction which may or may not be a bad thing depending on the viewer.

Lastly, the film does have a bit of a slow burn with its pacing. If you go in expecting exciting twists and turns, or scary jump scares, then you'll probably be disappointed. Depending on how invested you get into the actual story and characters, that will probably determine whether or not the payoff reveal at the end makes or breaks the movie.

The Reason:
Dig Two Graves felt like a combination of No Country For Old Men and The Witch. It's unconventional and different, which may hit or miss with some audiences. As a film junkie, I personally liked the film because I really like originality. I get the sense that this is the type of film that would be best watched in the comfort of your own home, however, I also think that Dig Two Graves has the potential of developing a cult following as well. If you've got the time, I would recommend checking this out. I'd probably keep expectation low so that way you can enjoy the film to its fullest.

The Rating: 7/10

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My [Loosely based] Ratings scale

10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Rings Movie Review

The Trailer:

The Good:
If for some reason you're curious about the origins of dead girl, Samara, then this film will certainly help you get just a little more insight into her dark past. Vincent D'Onofrio was probably the best highlight of this film.

The Bad:
The opening sequence just felt like a disjointed piece of a movie franchise thrown in for the sake of showing off the ghost-kid. Matter of fact it was very similar to a random scene from Final Destination 2-5. Granted, the opening scene had a loose connection to get the movie going, it just felt as though it could've been handled differently. Matter of fact, it didn't even feel connected to the past movies at all. So it's hard to say if this was even a reboot or remake or whatever.

I suppose the biggest issue with this film is just that the scare tactics don't feel any different than those used from the very first movie. Samara simply isn't scary anymore. Coming out of a TV doesn't make someone afraid the same way it did when it first surprised us in the early 2000's. Furthermore, her backstory isn't all that compelling either. I thought that this film was going to give some sort of explanation about how and why she is who/what she is, but I don't think it succeeded in delivering on that.

Along with the lack of innovative horror, this film appeared to almost copy the same scenes from the movie "Don't Breathe". It literally felt like the tone shifted from horror to thriller, and you were watching two completely different films. This also translated into issues with the plot. It felt like I was watching multiple cuts of different versions of the same movie.

Unfortunately, the characters were equally as uninteresting as the plot of the film itself. There was nothing compelling about the main character or her motivations to "keep going" throughout the film.

The Reason:
As a fan of the first "The Ring" film, I must admit that I am grossly disappointed in "Rings". The Ring, for me, was one of my top 5 scariest films. Rings unfortunately eviscerates the notion of any future "Ring" type of movies from holding that place again. Unless the studios can come up with some other type of innovative way to scare people with this ghost/monster kid, it's more than time to simply lay it to rest permanently. I couldn't recommend this film even to the most die hard Ring or horror fans. The irony here is that this whole movie is about warning you not to watch a video or else you suffer the consequences. I suggest you heed the movie's advice in advance. -_-

The Rating: 5/10

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My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Movie Review

The Trailer:

The Good:
Milla Jovovich once again solidifies herself as a legit action star. There were a couple of notable scenes where she gets to show off her kick-butt skills. As you can come to expect with these films there are a couple of jump scares to keep you on your toes. Luckily you'll probably see them coming so you won't have too bad of a heart attack.

Unlike the more recent Resident Evil films, The Final Chapter actually does a nice job of drawing from the same style and feel of the first film. As you can probably see from the trailer, the story comes full circle. As a matter of fact, the plot is more sound compared to the last couple of movies. We do get a couple of twists in the story and some interesting connections revealed at the end.

The visuals for this film were also a highlight. There's plenty of action and gore with the zombie creatures. The combination of zombies and explosions give the impression that this film definitely had a higher budget and wasn't afraid to let loose.

The Bad:
Right off the bat, the biggest disappointment I had with this film was that it merely skips the huge battle that culminated at the end of Resident Evil: Retribution. While the film does try to catch you up with a little bit of narration covering all of the previous films, starting the movie without even showing the big fight scene was a little discouraging. Another issue was the pacing of time within the movie itself. At one point in the movie, time is quickly running down, and then towards the end time simply crawls (despite a lot of events taking place.)

Another disappointment was the character of "Wesker". In the previous two films, Wesker was a formidable opponent and villain. Without going into too much detail, he was a completely wasted character. I don't even know why he was in the film. -_-

The Reason:
If you've been invested in watching the previous five films, I know what you may be thinking. "Was this better than the first two movies?". Well I think it's safe to say that the first two Resident Evil films were easily the best of the franchise, and The Final Chapter comes right into 3rd place. It wasn't as good as the first two films, but it wasn't as bad as the last three. If there was ever a The Walking Dead  movie directed by Michael Bay, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter would be it. 

I saw the film in standard 2D and not in 3D. I didn't feel like I missed a thing, so if you want to save some money don't feel overly pressured to see it in 3D. I do think that it's worth the watch in theaters at a discounted price or matinee at the very best. I don't believe that fans of the series will be disappointed in this.

The Rating: 7/10

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My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Split Movie Review

The Trailer:

The Good:
It certainly looked like James McAvoy really put some serious effort into making these characters work. It's difficult enough for any actor to portray a believable character, but to be able to clearly distinguish between alternate personalities within seconds is just really good acting in itself. Every time McAvoy is on the screen, he's clearly the most interesting person that grabs your attention.

One thing I appreciated about the film were the educational moments. Since the movie does deal with a mental disorder, it was really interesting to hear about the potential theories surrounding the mental illness that may go beyond our normal understanding. It was a great way blurring the lines of normal psychology with that of maybe even the supernatural.

Another aspect of the film that I appreciated was the uniqueness of both the themes and message of the movie. I like to give credit for originality in films, so whether I actually agree with the message/theme is irrelevant. I just like the fact that the movie attempts to communicate something different to help it stand out.

Best of all, director/writer M. Night Shyamalan returns with yet again another classic twist. Obviously, I don't want to ruin that big reveal, so the only thing I'll say is that if you're not familiar with M. Night Shyamalan's movies, then you'll probably miss the significance of the big surprise.

The Bad:
The movie deals with some pretty heavy subject matter. More specifically it deals with abuse (sexual, physical, mental, etc.) While the issues that are explored are disturbing to some degree, it was a little awkward to continuously see the main actresses portrayed in certain situations. Just keep in mind that the main three girls are supposed to be playing high school students, but often times they're placed in situations that are just awkward or uncomfortable to watch. There were even some questionable camera shots that make you just wonder "of all the places to zoom in on her, why there?".

Aside from the moments of awkwardness, the majority of the movie is kind of predictable. Some of the characters do things that are just plain dumb, but we all know they have to be dumb to make the movie interesting.

The Reason:
The concern about M. Night going overboard with the unexpected plot reveals or crazy stories can probably now be laid to rest. It appears that the director has taken a more settled approach of surprising audiences and it's apparent in Split. In M. Night's last film, The Visit (Video Review), we see a similar safe approach to main stream audiences too.

If you've been cautious to seeing M. Night films, or if you've been overly scarred from his previous films, then consider Split as a make-up film. Yes, there are some eye rolling moments, but overall the movie is pretty solid. I'd recommend giving it a watch especially if you're a fan of his earlier work.

The Rating: 7.5/10

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My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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Lights Out Movie Review

The Trailer:

The Good:
Well this movie wasted no time at all to get the ball rolling with the horror. Rather than build up the creepiness and anticipation of the scary moments, it's simply thrown right at you from the very beginning. The ghost/monster thing (who I like to call "Dirty Diana") was pretty terrifying even though all you could primarily see is a dark figure. As usual, I will give this some points because it is pretty original in the sense that this is a fresh, new angle to approach horror characters. The concept of playing on the fears of darkness while being crippled to the safety of light is one we all can relate to from our youngest childhood fears.

My favorite character has to be "Bret" played by Alexander DiPersia. I can't go into detail about what he does or doesn't do, but I will say that got a round of applause during my screening of the film. His character possessed a much needed element that a lot of horror movies tend to lack.

The Bad:
Almost all of the characters, except for Bret, are pretty annoying. Their naivete and incompetence invoke instant eye rolls. I mean they go beyond just the "Oh what's that? Let me go investigate" level of stupidity. Many of the of the main characters KNOW what they're dealing with (or just that it exists) and still act clueless about handling the situation. When characters get that dumb, it completely distracts the audience from taking this film seriously. Matter of fact, the idiotic actions of the characters make this movie more comical than scary.

Speaking of which, for a horror, this was a pretty lackluster. Yes, there were plenty of jump-scares. However, the setup for them felt so rushed and, even worse, predictable. Despite having James Wan (Insidious, The Conjuring) as a producer, very little use of his style of setup and delivery were utilized. The film could've easily borrowed aspects of the first Insidious film which created an atmosphere in which you had no idea when something scary was going to happen, or if it was sitting right in front of your face the entire time.

The Reason:
This movie is what it is. It's a basic horror film, that was inspired by a really good, award winning horror short movie. (Watch the original short here.) This was a pretty forgettable film that sadly won't have you taping your light switches on at night. If you did decide to see this, this would probably be a good date movie or something to see with a group of friends. You'll probably get a bigger kick out of laughing at the movie rather than going to get some real terrors. Feel free to see this as a matinee or wait to watch at home. Maybe if you watch it at home with the lights off it may make the movie just a little bit scarier.

The Rating: 6/10

My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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The Shallows Movie Review

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The Trailer:

The Good:
Blake Lively plays a great survivalist. You could tell she worked out for the part and immersed herself in the world of surfing to prepare for her character. She managed to display a fair range of aspects to her character. She was vulnerable when times seemed bleak, but tough when danger presented itself. The mere fact that she's able to keep your attention while being one of the only people on screen for about 75% of the movie speaks highly to her performance.

Kudos to the shark. It was convincingly terrifying to the level that you wouldn't want to trade places with Blake's character on any occasion. The suspense the shark brought to the table was probably equivalent to that of the shark in Jaws.

The Bad:

My biggest issue with the film was that it was incredibly predictable. You knew what was going to happen with almost every character, every time. The only minor surprises were probably the actual interactions with Blake Lively and the shark towards the end of the movie. The story and characters are pretty straight-forward and fit almost too perfectly. (Rather convenient for her that she went to a certain school.)

The Reason:
If you've heard news or reviews about this movie you'll hear that this is the best movie since Jaws. I will agree to that, only because what other shark movies does it have to compare with? Sharknado? If that's the case, then yes, by default this was as good as we get since Jaws. It brings about a very similar sense of fear and terror that only Jaws was able to bring back in the day. I highly doubt this will have anyone terrified of going to sleep at night. However, it may have you second guess whether you want to go scuba diving the next time you go on vacation.

What you see in the trailers is exactly what you get. The Shallows isn't a terrible movie by any means. I enjoyed it. I just don't think it's worth paying a lot of money to go see. I'd probably recommend catching it during the matinee or if your local theater is doing one of those discount movie days. Otherwise, if you happened to watch this at home, I think it would be perfectly fine as well. I get the feeling that this would be a good Saturday night movie to watch on TBS or TNT. You may want to also wait 30 mins before watching. :)

The Rating: 6.5/10

My [Loosely based] Ratings scale
10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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The Conjuring 2 Movie Review

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The Trailer:

Movie Critic Reactions:

YouTube Video Review (Spoiler-Free):

The Good:

Get used to it, but I'm going to be telling you often that director James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring) is an absolute MASTER of horror. Just like in The Conjuring, he teases you with the stereotypical horror tactics that we've all seen in other horror films. Then he throws you a bunch of curve balls so you'll never really know what to expect. To make things even scarier, he even has the characters in the movie do what you or I would probably do in their situations. For example, if you saw a ghost, you'd probably run, right? I know I would.

If you allow me to nerd out a bit, I have to bring your attention to some of the unique camera angles that are used in the film. With the many horror films I've seen, I've never seen the ones he used in one of the "interview sessions", for example. (You'll know which one I'm referring to when you see it)

I would like to think that I'm one of those who don't scare easy, but this movie had me cowering in my seat the entire time. It was simply so intense and suspenseful that I had to check my heart rate a few times. (I'm pretty sure I died twice)

If you're a fan of James Wan's other work, then you may also catch on to the fact that there are a lot of similar themes that the movies share. The rules in his "horror universe" are almost the same.

I think overall, the characters all delivered. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga continue to share great on screen chemistry.  As for the ghost in the film....it was scary. Matter of fact, I'm still in the process of trying to forget it, so that's all I'll say about it. :-/ 

The Bad:
This is 100% me simply nitpicking, but I was a little disappointed by the final moments of the movie. I've seen a ton of exorcism movies, and I thought that the final wrap up was a tad bit rushed.

The Reason:

If you liked Insidious 1 or 2, or the Conjuring (review), then you’ll enjoy this. I think it’s fair to say that this will probably be the best horror film for the year. Did I already mention that James Wan is the MASTER of horror? Honestly, I just don't think there's much of a comparison for another director in this decade.

Just like in one of my previous horror reviews, I do want to clarify the difference between "scary" and "Creepy". "Scary" means that it will have moments that shock you with jump scares. "Creepy" is all about the overall feeling and atmosphere that sticks with you well after the movie is over. Many horror films today simply don't find a nice balance between the two, or they just pile on a bunch of blood and gore to overwhelm you.
James Wan, in my opinion, transcended even himself by blending creepy and scary even more than before. I think that the Conjuring 2 is more than worth the watch and is a "Must See"in my book. I’ll tell you this, I’m not going to London, I don’t like nuns anymore, and I will never buy my children a fire truck.

Rating:  9.5/10

My [Loosely based] Ratings scale

10-9 = A Must watch at any cost. 
8.5- 7.5 = Theater worthy 
7-6.5 = Matinee/rental worthy at best
6 = Watchable (If it's free)
5 - below = Avoid at all costs

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The Witch Movie Review 2016

Release date: February 19, 2016
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The Trailer:

The Good:

Director Robert Eggers does a great job of creating both the atmosphere and setting of the 17th century Puritan society in America. From the wardrobe to even the very dialect used by the actors, you do feel like you're taking a glimpse back into time.

For the most part, the family in the story are the most intriguing highlight in the film. It's interesting to see how their religious convictions affect their everyday lives and decisions. (good or bad) You'll be more interested in the family "drama" than the suspected witch. Given that fact, this film gets points for being original and somewhat creative.

The Bad:

The overall pacing of the film seemed a little slow, even though the film is only 90 mins. (Not a big deal, but some parts seemed to drag a bit.) Another issue, is that it was a little difficult to make out some of the dialogue. While the vernacular for that period was probably done in a very authentic way, it doesn't help as an audience member when you're unable to make out some things that are said. (Closed Captioning may have been helpful.)

I think that some people may be a little disappointed, seeing as though "the witch" is not the main focal point of the story. This story is more so about  the impact of the "presence" of a potential witch, and how it affects the family. Another potential letdown may be the story's ending. I was fortunate enough to speak to the director during the screening of this film (see Bonus video below) and he said in so many words that the ending is up for the audience to decide. While I can respect that notion, I don't think that it was executed in an ambiguous enough manner to do so. (ie: Inception and the spinning top.)

The Reason:

I think it may also be a little misleading to believe that this movie is a "horror". Granted there may be a few moments that are dark and eerie, this film was more so disturbing than it was scary. There weren't really pop out, jump scare scenes, so you don't have to worry about dropping your popcorn. As I mentioned before, the film is original but that may hurt it more than help it. When a film gets classified as a horror, people expect to be terrified. This film sort of balances the line between trying to be a scary movie, but yet also a period piece.

I suppose you could think of this movie as The Blair Witch Project taking place during the Salem Witch Trials in the late 1600s. I don't get the sense that this movie is going to appeal to the masses only because it may go against the grain of common expectations for traditional horror films. The film and its director does show some promise and originality, but this film isn't a home-run. I'd recommend watching this at home at most and save your money. I think more will be disappointed rather than satisfied if you're expecting to be scared out of your seat. You'll be more disturbed than scared.  It's an Okay watch.

The Rating: 6.5/10

Bonus Video(Spoiler Alert):
Check out the live Q&A with the writer and director Robert Eggers. Of course you know, yours truly got a question in there too :)

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Crimson Peak Movie Review 2015

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The Trailer:


The Good:

The visuals in this movie are beyond captivating. You're either going to be too afraid of the ghost(s) to look, or too intrigued by their unique designs to turn away. Director Guillermo del Toro is simply genius with his unique, artistic and beautiful portrayal of the ghosts. Tom Hiddleston does a really nice job in this film, but Jessica Chastain easily has the strongest performance. There are some really scary moments in the first half of the movie, and you can expect some creepy scenes that are similar to the movie Insidious.

The Bad:

A consistent flaw with del Toro's amazing visuals is that in the majority of his horror films (Mama, for example) he erases the sense of horror the closer you get to the end of the movie. He'll do a terrific job of introducing and subtly showing you the ghosts/monsters, but towards the end of the movie he'll show you entirely too much. By the time you see all of the ghost, it's just not as scary anymore, and there's nothing left to the imagination. This film was no exception. Matter of fact, the movie completely transforms into a different genre after the halfway point. It goes from horror to slasher-thriller. The downfall with this is that while you're no longer busy focusing on being afraid of the ghosts, you begin to pay more attention at all of the MANY plot holes in the story. There are a number of issues in the story that seem like convenient writing, or lack of creativity, just to hurry the movie along.

The Reason:

If you're a fan of del Toro's work in projects like The Strain, Mama, or Pan's Labrynth, you'll be sure to notice that del Toro recycles a lot of the same things in this movies. (i.e.: long crooked fingers, fast moving monsters, moths, or even floating ghosts in the air) Despite the similarities, del Toro still never ceases to amaze you visually speaking. That in itself makes Crimson Peak worth the watch in the theaters. Actors are good, story is "meh", and the ghosts are really cool to look at. As I mentioned, the movie does go from horror to thriller, but the trailer sells this as if it's only a horror. So I'm just giving you the heads up now so you don't go in thinking it'll be a complete scary film. Matinee price is all that you'll need spend to watch this.

The Rating: 7.0/10 

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The Visit Movie Review (2015)

YouTube:

The Good:

The most surprising thing about this movie was how it uniquely found a way to be scary, but still include funny moments throughout the film. It knew when to be funny, and when to be scary, without mixing the two together. The scary parts will provide quite a few jump-scares, and in some scenes they will simply disturb you. The young boy, "Tyler" (played by Ed Oxenbould ), will quickly become a favorite in this film with his various remarks, "swearing",  and "skills". I think it's fair to say that "Nana", played by Deanna Dunagan, does a really good job of playing the crazy grandma given all the versatile things she did in the movie. For some, the plot twist in the story will be mild, but good nevertheless.

The Bad:

As we've come to know from director M. Night Shyamalan (The 6th Sense, Signs), the "big twist" is to be expected. Because of that, if you're an over-analyzer of movies like me, you'll probably see the twist coming from a mile away. So in that aspect, the story is mildly predictable. (That doesn't ruin the movie though) Many of the scary scenes you'll see coming, and for the most part are not terrifying to the point that will give you nightmares. It's very generic horror and scare tactics that we've seen before.

The Reason:

Okay, so here's the real deal about this movie. M. Night Shyamalan is known for having a really bad reputation for putting out movies like Lady in the Water, The Village, The Happening, and others. He started off great with The 6th Sense and Signs, but since then, audiences have been generally disappointed. Luckily for The Visit, this movie was not one of his bad films. It was disturbingly funny and scary at the same time. This film is like his "makeup movie" to audiences. For example, in a relationship, if a guy messes up and constantly disappoints his girlfriend, he may give her flowers as an apology. Now the girlfriend may like the flowers, but that doesn't mean the boyfriend is completely forgiven. Shyamalan is in the same boat. The Visit is his "flowers" to audiences. We'll take it, but he's still got a lot more work to do to make up for all the other not-so-great movies he's given us.

Take caution if you decide to see it. It's a unique movie. Not a hollywood blockbuster by any means, but I wouldn't be surprised if many would enjoy it. To see this movie I recommend: Go in with low expectations, pay the matinee price, and go with a friend or date. (You'll want to talk about it afterwards)

The Rating: 7/10

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Sinister 2 Movie Review (2015)

YouTube:

The Good:

The film picks up pretty close to where the previous film left off. So the story does expand a bit and introduces some more insight on the evil character of "Bagul" and the children he encounters. There are a lot of references to the previous Sinister film, so it would be somewhat helpful to watch it before watching this sequel. The church scene is probably one of the creepiest/scariest moments in the entire film. Surprisingly, one of the best performances came from the unlikely character of "Clint Collins" played by Lea Coco.  He was extremely convincing in his role as the father to the children in the film.

The Bad:

The film stopped being a horror and turned more so into a thriller. Rather than focus on scaring you with Bagul, the film relies on what I could only call "Torture Horror". You'll notice the "Torture Horror" in the many instances when we're shown a number of home videos showing children gruesomely murdering their families in various ways. (If you have a fear of rats, be forewarned now) At times, it gave off a vibe similar to the movie Hostel.

One of the biggest annoyances to me was the focus on the children. The children are focused on like 70% of the movie. Even worse, there's never an explanation as to how exactly one child is able to subdue their entire family. Let alone, how a child is able to physically set up some of the elaborate murder scenes. The ending "chase" scene was probably one of the most unrealistic scenes I've seen in a horror film in a while. Think to yourself, if Chucky, the killer doll, were chasing you with a knife, would you really be afraid and run in terror? (You'll know the scene I'm referring to when you see it.)

The Reason:

You come into this film looking to be scared, and you simply don't get that at all. Unless you have a phobia for rats, this film simply won't scare you outside of the one or two cheap jump-scares that are thrown in. The previous Sinister, at least, kept to the traditional formula for horror, but this one almost felt like a different type of movie. I just don't see how seeing people die on video is supposed to be scary. It's not scary, just disturbing. I think you can definitely wait on this to come out and watch it at home...for free.


The Rating: 6/10

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Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Movie Review

The Trailer: 

The Good: Director, writer, and actor Leigh Whannell was intent on giving us more background story about the psychic Elise Rainier (played by: Lin Shaye) and her cases fighting ghosts. The goal was accomplished because the backstory does give more depth into Elise's character. The plot overall did a nice job of tying in the previous 2 films and keeping the story relevant. Since this movie was a prequel to the previous Insidious films, the plot explains just enough to the point where this film can stand alone.  You can expect plenty of jump scares and suspenseful moments from beginning to the very end. Some of the best moments are probably in the bedroom scenes where the creepy levels are probably at their highest. It's also nice to see that the film stayed true to its explanation of the "Further" and the horror universe that makes this film unique.

The Bad: Unfortunately this film strays away at key moments to capture the true essence of what made the previous films truly creepy. The ghosts are not eased into the movie as they were in the first film, and that kind of takes away from the mystery that would shroud them. You know what the ghost looks like, so it's appearance becomes less shocking the more it appears on screen. Next, the camera angles kind of make the scary parts a tad bit more predictable. Instead of centering the camera on the character, and then hiding the ghosts in the background (to mess with your mind), the camera is purposely angled to the side which compels the audience to look into the background and expect something to pop out. While the film does have a good amount of jump scares throughout, they are bit predictable. Overall, the creepy factor(which made Insidious so good), just wasn't there.

The Reason: I think the best way to describe this movie is not to compare it to other horror films because the Insidious franchise has transcended the horror genre and raised the bar. So it's only fair to judge and compare it to the previous films. Of all 3, this movie is probably more scary than it is creepy. It's important to understand the difference between scary and creepy though. "Scary" means that it will have moments that shock you with jump scares. "Creepy" is all about the overall feeling and atmosphere that sticks with you well after the movie is over. Unfortunately for this film, even though it will scare you, it will not linger afterwards and the fear will wear off rather soon. It's not a bad movie at all. However, it does fall victim to going back to formulaic scare tactics rather than staying consistent and evolving the horror genre as it did with the previous films. I'd say it's still well worth the watch because it's still an above average horror film and MUCH better than Poltergeist. -_-
If you're in the mood for a scary movie, this makes for a good watch either for the matinee price or at home.

The Rating: 7/10

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