31 Day Horror Challenge: The Final Day: Four Movies for the Price of One!

I want to thank everyone who has tuned into my reviews this year!  It has been a blast but I am definitely looking forward to a break from film for a little while.  I will probably bring it back next year.  A Vincent-Price-A-Thon would be cool but we'll see, it's whole year away.  I also might move over to Tumblr, I hear it's more happening over there.  Anyways, I wanted to do something special for Halloween and review four movies instead of one, enjoy!

Ghostwatch(1992)

Now, I’m not sure if this is the first POV camera film but I know it predates The Blair Witch Project and even The Last Broadcast.  At the very least, it was definitely before the flood of films of this nature.  In all honesty, this is superior to and scarier than all of them.

On Halloween night, 1992, The BBC decides to do a live broadcast of an investigation of the supposed most haunted house in Britain.  Shots go back and forth between the studio taking live phone calls and footage of the house, camera and family that resides there.  At first it seems quiet and dull.  After discovering that the whole thing is probably a hoax, the camera crew decides to pack up and leave.  However, things start to happen and they get more than they bargain for.

This is clearly a fake documentary and the filmmakers never intended it to be taken as fact.  However, it is really well done and really creepy at times.  This is probably the best POV cam movie ever made.  It’s the original Paranormal Activity and 300 times better!

9/10 stars.

The Mummy(1932)

Realizing the only Mummy films I had seen are the ones with that guy from George of the Jungle, I decided to check out the original.  There is a certain quality in these old films that gives them almost a magical quality.   Maybe it’s because they were so organic and free of CGI or maybe it’s because the focus was almost solely placed on the story.  Either way, this is one to check out.

An expedition uncovers the tomb of the Egyptian prince Im-Ho-Tep.  The mummy is brought back to life and is hell bent on reuniting with his long lost love.  The problem is that she has been reincarnated in the body of a young girl who has no knowledge of any of these things.  Im-Ho-Tep stops at nothing to make sure she understands.

If you like the Universal monster movies like Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, or The Wolf Man, you’ll like this one.  It is dull at times but the whole experience is definitely worth it.  It sure beats Brendan Fraser!

7/10 stars.

The Mummy’s Hand(1940)

This is a very loose remake of the original 1932 Mummy.  I usually can’t stand remakes no matter how true to or far off they are from the original.  However, this one surpasses it in just about every way in my opinion.

Two men go on an expedition to uncover the tomb of an ancient Egyptian princess.  They instead uncover the living mummy Kharis who is sworn to protect the princess.  While many people are turning up dead, they must figure out a way to stop this ancient evil.

A much faster moving and even funnier film than the original, most people should enjoy The Mummy’s Hand.  It almost shouldn't be called a sequel because it’s so different but it definitely stands apart in a good way.  Universal did a fantastic job with this one!

8/10 stars.

Theatre of Blood(1973)

Vincent Price, in my mind, is the best actor of all time.  His love for horror and theatrics was always so heavily showcased among his work.  This film is no exception.  It really reminds me of another great Price film called The Abominable Doctor Phibes.  Make sure you see that one too!

A washed out theater actor, who was thought have committed suicide, returns and vows revenge on the critics that ruined his career.  With the help of his group of transients, he kills off the critics one by one in alignment with several different Shakespeare plays.  He always seems to be one step ahead of the authorities as they race to put an end to his madness.

This is a must see for Vincent Price fans.  His performance is over the top and ridiculously theatrical but in the best ways possible.  The story is very creative and the direction is admirable.  Give it look, you’ll be glad you did!

9/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Thirty: Intruders(2011)

Having a good premise is not everything.  Intruders has a truly great premise that could have worked wonders.  The problem is that it simply was not executed correctly and what starts off as a promising film becomes a convoluted mess.

Two children, one living in London and one living in Madrid, are visited by a horrifying dark figure with no face every night.  It effects them in mental and physical ways.  When neither the doctors nor the authorities can do anything to help them, their parents are forced to look into their mental well-being.

Other than a few cliché jump scares, this film is good direction wise.  The problem is in the story and how it just does not hold up.  I would recommend watching something else.

4/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Nine: The Mothman Prophecies(2002)

When basing a movie on one of the most creepy and prolific urban legends out there, you should get a really creepy film.  Sadly, that isn't the case here.  What it actually ended up being was a very heavy drama.  Not a bad drama at all, but considering the subject matter, this should have been a lot more horrifying.

After his wife dies, reporter John Klein literally finds himself in the small West Virginia Town of Point Pleasant.  People start reporting sightings of strange winged creatures, lights in the sky and psychic visions.  He starts to believe that all of these things are a warning for a pending disaster.

Honestly, the documentary on Point Pleasant entitled “Eyes of the Mothman” is much creepier and much more worth your while.  I could not sleep after that film, this one almost put me to sleep.  However, if you’re expecting that this is more of drama, you’ll probably enjoy it.  It’s all about perspective! 

6/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Eight: Cropsey(2009)

Perhaps I should have just stuck with the one documentary this year.  Not that documentaries are bad but they rarely fit in with the horror genre.  This one definitely has horror elements but it’s much more of a true crime picture.  Either way, it is pretty good but at times very dull.

Two Staten Island natives delve into an urban legend they heard as kids about a man name Cropsey who would abduct and murder children.  Their search brings them to a string of murders of children with learning disabilities from the 1970’s and 1980’s.  It follows the trial of a man named Andre Rand who is the prime suspect in these killings.

There is plenty of real life horror out there and this portrays it well but I think it could have done a better job in that area.  There is far too much time spent on trial coverage rather than the actual story.  See for yourself!

7/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Seven: Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man(1951)

Abbott and Costello were absolutely hilarious.  Their jokes were always on time, the situations they get themselves into are ridiculous and they seemed to have so much heart for making people laugh.  Throw the Universal monster world into that and you have a recipe for success!

Bud and Lou graduate from detective school and become private eyes.  When famous boxer, Tommy Nelson, who is accused of a murder he didn’t commit enlists their help, they get a lot more than they’ve bargained for.  The man has a serum to turn himself invisible to evade the law.  In order to put the real criminals to justice Tommy has Lou fight the great Rocky Hanlon with some invisible assistance.

This is a great film for your entire family.  See it before Halloween comes around!  We are only 6 days away!

9/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Six: Homicidal(1961)

This is the third William Castle film to be reviewed this year and I’m glad I’m catching up on his work.  He was a great and very unique filmmaker that is sadly forgotten by the vast majority of people out there.  Homicidal is definitely among the best of his films and should be viewed by horror fans everywhere.

The story starts with a woman paying a bell hop $1,000 to marry her and then immediately have the marriage annulled.  The bell hop accepts but he has no idea what is about to happen.  During the ceremony, the woman stabs the justice of the peace to death and runs off.  This starts a very serious investigation into a very strange family with dark, murderous secrets.  It leads up to a very surprising twist ending that will make your head spin!

William Castle’s style of audience participation was always great and his direction is spot on in this film.  The acting and writing are also very enjoyable.  See this one!

9/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Five: Eyes of the Mothman(2011)

How about I do some something a little different today and review some real life horror?  Now, I'm not saying I believe everything in this documentary is true but it presents all the evidence and does a very nice and convincing job.  It is also a very well done film and after all, that's what these reviews are all about!

While the title of the film clearly is geared toward the mothman legacy, this film tells a lot more than that.  It is about the small town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia where the original mothman sightings took place but there is much more to it than that.  Many other strange things have occurred in this small town including numerous UFO sightings, strange men in black bothering the locals, and  the collapse of a huge bridge.  The film presents its case and how people believe all of these events and the mothman tie in together.  It will give you chills!

As I said, I'm not sure I believe everything here but it is definitely interesting.  There is much more to life than only what we see and it's fun to delve into these things.  This a great film to do just that!

9/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Four: Cockneys VS. Zombies(2012)

In this day and age it is nearly impossible to make a zombie film that stands apart from the legion of other zombie films being produced.  Cockneys vs. Zombies succeeds in this task with flying colors.  Think of it as a mix between Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz with a dash of Shoot ‘Em Up thrown in.  Don’t be fooled by the awful title, this is a very funny and intelligent movie.

In an attempt to save their grandfather’s East London retirement home from demolition, three siblings plan to rob a bank.  In the midst of their inept crime, a zombie breakout occurs and suddenly they have bigger problems than evading local authorities.  They now must save their grandfather and his that are trapped in the retirement home surrounded by hundreds of flesh eating zombies.

One of my favorite things about this film is that all the characters know what zombies are and recognize exactly what is happening as it happens.   Unique points of the story like that really make this a gem.  Other than that, the direction and acting are great.  There are plenty of laughs but there is a lot of heart as well.  Please give this one a chance!

9/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Three: Smiley(2012)

So let’s say you’re a young up and coming, quasi famous director and you want a real breakout film on your plate.  All you have to do is make a slasher film because anyone can do that, right?  Wrong, this film was a mistake and clearly just a reason to make money.

Ashley is a sheltered and somewhat awkward freshman in college who has only recently gotten past the suicide of her mother.  She begins to hang out with a group of people who roommate met on the internet.  This group informs her of the urban legend known as Smiley.  An evil man who kills people in chat rooms.  She soon finds out that there is much more to the story than just a legend and soon has to fight for her life.

Riddled with painful “hip” dialogue, bad storytelling, worse acting and piss poor direction, this film will not pass the test of time and very soon be forgotten.  Trust me, there are far better movies to see.  There are even far better slasher films to see and those are usually lacking any form of substance.

2/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty Two: Amityville II: The Possession(1982)

e most horror sequels, this one has been smothered in bad reviews and holds a mostly unfavorable reputation.  I honestly don’t think it’s that terrible.  Yes, it’s a far cry from its predecessor but it is a completely different film and has a fairly different tone that works.

A new family, the Montelli’s move into the Amityville house.  When the mother recruits the local priest to bless the house, they realize not everything is at it seems.  This results in the demonic possession of their teenage son.  The priest becomes the family’s only hope.

This isn't the best horror movie or even the best horror sequel ever but it’s not as bad as its reputation would suggest.  It’s different enough from the original to be engaging and it’s similar enough to be part of the series.  I might just be crazy, so see for yourself!

7/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty One: The Baby(1973)

The Baby is a bizarre, absurd and very disturbing film that has left me somewhat speechless due to its shocking nature.  Not many films have a lasting effect like this one does.  I would not recommend it if you are easily disturbed.

A social worker becomes interested in a very special case.  At first glance, the family looks normal with a mother, two daughters and a baby in diapers and a crib.  The only problem is that the baby is 20 years old.  The social worker becomes somewhat obsessed with the case when she comes to believe that the family is forcing the baby to stay in this state of mind using torture.  It leads to a crazy twist ending that you won’t see coming from a mile away.

This is a very well done film with a script that will keep you guessing.  Like I said, the subject matter is disturbing, insane and extremely bizarre.  See it if you think you can handle it.

8/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twenty: Night of the Living Dead(1990)

This is a very well done and very unnecessary remake of George Romero's 1968 classic.  Other than a very few scenes, it is almost exactly the same as the original.  Now, don't get me wrong, it was fun to watch and not a total waste of time but I feel if you're going to remake a film, you should at least change it up a bit.

A group of people barricade themselves inside a farmhouse to escape from a hoard of reanimated corpses hungry for human flesh.  As tensions rise and arguments ensue, it becomes obvious that they have to worry about the potential harm they will cause each other.  Everything begins to fall apart and leads to a stunning conclusion.

Every technical is good as far as acting and directing.  The story is good but as I said, a little too similar too the 1968 version.  All in all, you'll probably find plenty to enjoy here if you're a fan of the original but don't expect anything new.

7/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Nineteen: Wrong Turn 5(2012)

If there’s one series out there that probably doesn't need five installments, it’s Wrong Turn.  Even the first film, which is definitely the best of the series, brought nothing new to the horror table.  Now, don’t get me wrong, this series is usually extremely enjoyable because they are so silly and over the top, but I think it’s definitely run its course.

A small mountain town holding an annual Halloween party is terrorized by the hillbillies and the blood ensues.  A sheriff and a group of teens must barricade themselves inside the police station in order to save themselves.  Death after death occurs until you’ll probably wish you had only decided to watch the first half

There isn't really anything good to say about any of the technical aspects of this film.  Acting, writing and direction are all pretty.  However, the special effects aren't bad for CGI and it should please any gore hound out there.  Like I said, it’s nothing new, but it’s strangely fun at times.

4/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Eighteen: The Invisible Man(1933)

Unlike its Universal counterparts, Frankenstein and Dracula, The Invisible man plays out kind of like a slapstick comedy at time and there is nothing wrong with that!  There have been very few films this year that I've even come close to enjoying as much as this one.  There’s nothing scary or terrifying here but it is loads of fun and I guarantee a good time!

A scientist figures out the secret to becoming invisible.  Eventually his formula drives him insane and he comes up with schemes to murder certain people and wreak havoc on the townspeople.  It turns into a race against time as he will do anything and hurt anyone to bring himself back to his normal state.

Claude Rains is awesome as the invisible man and the other actors do a great job as well.  James Whale was a great director and this film proves how enjoyable his movies really are.  If you’re a fan of classic horror comedy, this is for you!

10/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Seventeen: Q: The Winged Serpent(1982)

Q: The Winged Serpent is a fun little throwback to classic monster films such as King Kong and Godzilla.  It doesn’t really bring anything new to the table but it is sure to keep you entertained for its 90-minute duration.  If anything, it’s better than most of the films I’ve reviewed this year!

New York authorities become confused over a string of disappearances in which a flying serpent is reported as the cause.  An ex-con is the only person in town that knows the location of the beast’s nest.  He uses this information to black mail the cops into a large sum of money and immunity from all his crimes.  In the end, not even he is safe from the monster.

This film contains great performances from David Carradine and Michael Moriarty.  Cult director Larry Cohen’s techniques show why so many enjoy his work but his screenplay seems to be missing something.  The fact is that this picture is nothing amazing or groundbreaking but it is a nice return to classic monster movies.

7/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Sixteen: Dark Shadows(2012)

Tim Burton has been given another opportunity to show us that he hasn’t had an original idea since the 1980’s and he excels at it!  It really is a shame that there are so many good directors out there but this clown gets all the money because stupid people will line up for miles to see him take a huge crap on great filmmaking from years past.  Thank goodness I didn’t pay to see this one.

In the 1700’s, Barnabus Collins (Johnny Depp) is turned into a vampire by and angry ex-lover and imprisoned in a coffin.  Two centuries pass and Collins is released.  He then meets his dysfunctional descendants and awkwardly lives with them.  They end up fighting his witch ex-girlfriend and the clichés just keep piling on from there.

It seems as though Johnny Depp will do anything for money lately.  It’s sad because he was once a very talented actor.  He and Tim Burton are just out to get your cash at this point.  Enough is enough, stop paying to see this garbage!

3/10 stars

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Fifteen: The Tall Man(2012)

There are times when a movie is so poorly marketed that the audience almost feels lied to when they see the finished product.  The Tall Man is not at all what it claimed to be in trailers and other promotions.  If it had been marketed correctly, as a heavy thriller, it may have been more enjoyable.  However, it was promoted as a horror movie which made it nothing short of a letdown.

A boy is taken from his home and his mother, while looking for him, starts to unravel the mystery of The Tall Man, a local legend.  She finds more than she bargained for when the tables begin to turn on her own life.  I don’t want to give too much away here, but like I said, don’t expect a horror film.

Direction and writing are definitely decent in this film.  The acting is great, especially with performances from Jessica Biel and Jodelle Ferland.  Everything technical is fine here; the problem is that the viewer will feel misled and disappointed.  Perhaps you will feel differently about this film than I did if you understand that it’s not what it says it is.

5/10 Stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Fourteen: God Told Me To(1976)

If you’re following this list of films, you’ll definitely see a couple Larry Cohen films this year.  This one is definitely good and has good reason for the cult following it has gained.  Though it’s not a straight forward horror film, it definitely has its moments and it contains one of the creepiest scenes I can remember.  They certainly don’t make them like this anymore.

A Catholic detective begins investigating a group of murders in which the suspect always claims that God told them to commit these acts.  He soon is led to a mysterious cult leader who seems to be behind the whole thing.  However, he may be more than just a run of the mill cult leader and something much more sinister.

Larry Cohen is a fun, albeit cheesy director and this is definitely a good showcase.  It seems to have been forgotten but hopefully you go check it out after reading this.  Go, now!

8/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Thirteen: Sinister(2012)

A story is a very interesting and meticulous thing reminiscent of mechanical watch.  If one of the parts fails to work, the entire machine shuts down.  Sinister is a prime example of this as it is a film that could have been great but is done in by its own typical ending.

Prolific true crime author, Ellison Oswalt and his family move into a new home to serve as inspiration for his next book.  While putting things away in the attic, he discovers a box containing an old super 8 camera and 5 films.  Each film shows the brutal and savage murder of a different family.  The only thing linking the films seems to be the presence of a dark figure.  As Ellison starts uncovering more and more about these films, it begins to effect him and is family in several terrifying ways.

Sinister has some of the scariest moments, aside from a few cliche jump scares, I can recall in recent cinema.  The acting from lead characters is great, the direction is fantastic but the story just had too many holes and too weak a pay off for this to be a classic in my book.  Either way, the first hour or so of this movie makes it all worthwhile.

7/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Twelve: I Saw What You Did(1965)

This is the second William Castle title on this list so far and there may be more this year.  Let’s just say I’m doing a bit of catching up on his catalog.  I Saw What You Did is a fun, if not somewhat disappointing film that has some noteworthy scenes.  It’s not the best of William Castle but it is worth watching at least once.

Libby and Kit, two teens, spend the evening prank calling people saying “I saw what you did and I know who you are.”  It’s all fun and games until they actually call a man who has just committed a murder.  Obviously, this leads to consequences and eventually the girls end up fighting for their own lives.

The premise of this film is awesome but sadly, I felt that it didn’t deliver too well.  However, there are definitely worse films to be watching.  Give it one chance!

6/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Eleven: Scary or Die(2012)

Sadly, it seems as though the majority of the films this year are not very good.  I guess this is to be expected considering I’m reviewing films I’ve never seen before but this is another one that could have been much better.  It goes to show that anthology films still require a good amount of attention to detail in every single chapter.  Failure to do that in this film resulted in only one of five stories being enjoyable.  What a shame.

I’m only going to go over the plot of the one good story in this film.  It’s called Clowned and it stars Corbin Bleu; yes, the guy made famous from High School Musical.  Anyways, he is bit by a birthday clown and starts to transform into a clown.  He also gains a bloodlust for his brother and has to decide whether he loves him enough to not feed on him.  It was pretty horrifying.

As a whole, this movie is terrible and other than Clowned, the other stories aren’t even worth mentioning.  If you can, just fast forward to that one segment and check it out.  Trust me, it’s worth it.

Clowned: 9/10 stars.

Movie as a whole: 3/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Ten: Rosewood Lane(2012)

Rosewood Lane, Victor Salva’s comeback to horror, is getting crapped on by critics and viewers alike for being “absurd” and “unoriginal.”  In all honesty, I didn't think it was that bad.  It kept me entertained and engaged and there were some genuinely creepy and even scary moments.  Giving this film a shot is not the worst thing you could do with your evening.

After her father dies, Sonny Blake moves back into her childhood home and intends to settle down in this somewhat serene neighborhood.  The local paper boy takes a certain interest in her and things start spiraling out of control.  She becomes paranoid that he is stalking her and sneaking in and out of her house.  Suspicion changes to danger when the blood starts flowing.

I would definitely encourage you to judge for yourself on this one but you may just find that it is fairly well done.  I thought the writing and direction was clever if not somewhat cliché.  The acting could use some work but it doesn’t take away too much from everything else.  Give it a look!

7/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Nine: Grave Encounters 2(2012)

When Grave Encounters was released last year, it was a refreshing break from the typical found footage film.  It had an awesome premise, a creepy setting and some insane scares.  Grave Encounters 2, however, seems to be missing these things.  While the premise Is decent, it is not executed well and it’s safe to say that I’m reasonably let down.

A film student becomes dangerously obsessed with the first Grave Encounters film and set out to prove that the location and the film are all real.  Taking a group of friends/fellow filmmakers along with him, he does in fact stumble upon the abandoned mental hospital from the first movie.  Strange and horrifying things start to occur and they realize they are trapped inside.

The story isn’t bad but about halfway through, I felt it became too similar to the original and didn’t try hard enough to do its own thing.  The direction wasn’t as good and this is probably due to the fact that it is a new director.  The acting is pretty bad, even for a found footage film.  When it comes down to it, this is just a disappointment but not a terrible film to see if you like the first one.

4/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge: Day Eight: Pumpkinhead(1988)

There are movies that are well known because they are really good and there are movies that are well known because they are really bad.  Pumpkinhead is just bad and unmemorable.  Maybe the fact that this film has such good special effects, courtesy of the amazing Stan Winston, is fuel for its recognition.  I truly may never know.

Ed Harley is an honest, hard working and truly good person.  When he returns to his general store after leaving for only a few minutes, he finds that his son has been accidentally killed. The culprits are a group of teenagers passing through on vacation.  Desperate for revenge, he finds out where a local witch lives that can help him.  She summons the demon known as Pumpkinhead and one by one the teens are picked off.

Stan Winston was always well known for his wonderful special effects but never really took off as a director.  I don’t think that’s super surprising after viewing Pumpkinhead.  In all honesty, there are good parts but it’s probably not worth your time.  If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourself but you have certainly been warned.

3/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Seven: Cat's Eye(1985)

Back in the heyday of film and television, and even up through the eighties, anthology style stories were all the rage.  The Twilight Zone, Dead of Night, Outer Limits, Creepshow, Amazing Stories, and many more showed that having several different stories is always welcome.  Sadly, we’ve come to a point where people would rather have a story that continues every week or a continuous movie.  Fortunately, there are plenty of movies that we can revisit.

Cat’s Eye is a fun little anthology of three different horror and suspense tales.  Each story is linked by a stray cat trying to find a little girl in distress.  These creepy tales tell of a shady business that uses “unorthodox” tactics to help people quit smoking, a millionaire that likes to play games with people’s lives and a tiny troll that lives in the walls of a little girl’s bedroom.  Each chapter is thrilling and enjoyable.

All in all, Cat’s Eye is worth your time.  It’s not the greatest anthology movie but it is entertaining and it moves well.  It’s also great for the Halloween season.  Give it a try!

7/10 Stars

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Six: The Lost Coast Tapes(2012)

I generally love slow moving films.  They tend to do such a great job of building character development, story and suspense.  However, there has to be something to build on and there has to be some form of pay off.  That was the problem with this picture, it had neither.

A young, pretentious film crew from Los Angeles embarks on a mission to interview a man in Northern California who claims he has killed a Sasquatch and has the body to prove it.  Strange noises occur and the crew is abandoned at the cabin in the woods they are staying in.  It leads up to a far less than satisfying conclusion and seems to confuse even itself.

The found footage genre is getting more and more common and while there are good films that use this technique out there, I don’t think this is one of them.  I would recommend watching The Blair Witch Project or Grave Encounters instead.  It was more than a little disappointing.

3/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Five: V/H/S(2012)

As everyone knows by now, found footage films are getting a little old.  It feels like there is only so much you can do and only so many reasons you can present as to why your character would have a camera shooting everything even when their lives are in so much peril.  V/H/S seems to be a cut above the rest with a new take on the sub genre and some extremely horrifying scenes.  Let me make this clear: movies don’t really have a frightening effect on me much anymore but this one truly did.

A group of burglars is hired to retrieve a rare VHS tape from a creepy, old house.  When they arrive, they are annoyed to find out that there are dozens of VHS tapes that they must go through in order to find the correct one.  With each of the four tapes, the audience is shown a different story.  They are creepy and awesome and perfect for any horror junkie.

The greatest thing about this movie is that it brings back the, sadly, forgotten anthology style of storytelling.  The direction and writing are awesome, the acting is decent and the suspense is spot on.  Check it out if you think you can handle it!

8/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Four: Birdemic: Shock and Terror(2010)

Birdemic, the film that makes Troll 2 look like Casa Blanca.  Forget Plan 9 from Outer Space, forget The Room, this is the best worst movie maybe ever.  It’s been growing in popularity recently and a sequel was just announced.  If you’ve seen this piece of entertaining trash, you’re probably pretty excited about this news.

Rod, a young and promising salesman, starts dating Nathalie, an aspiring model.  Just when things are starting to pick up in their relationship, birds start attacking people, what a bummer!  They drive around, picking up another couple and two kids on the way, fighting off birds with coat hangers and guns.  After randomly running into a scientist that is standing on a bridge for no reason, they discover that the birds are mad that humans have caused global warming.  There is one last fight with the birds and then they just fly away peacefully and the movie ends.

Yes, it could have been written by a third grader.  Yes, the special effects, lighting, acting, dialogue, direction and everything else are awful but these things make the film.  Check this one out.  I wouldn’t, by any means, recommend paying to see it but it’s free to stream on Netflix!

I can’t rate this movie in a traditional manner so I have figured out two ways to sum up its rating.

Entertainment Value:
8/10 stars.

Quality and everything technical:
1/10 stars.

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Three: The Devil's Rain(1975)

If you’re part of the ever growing horror community, you have undoubtedly heard of this movie.  How cheesy it is, how unintentionally hilarious it is and how horribly awesome the special effects are.  Or maybe you've heard the new Misfits album which is named after it.  Until recently I had never checked it out and I can say that I’m glad I did.  It should probably be mentioned that this is not a “good” movie.  It’s not well done or anything close but it is extremely entertaining.

While searching for his missing mother and brother, Tom Preston stumbles upon an old church in the middle of the desert.  He soon realizes that the members of this church are Satanists hell bent on destroying him and his family.  As Tom fights against these dark forces, he terrifyingly learns just what The Devil’s Rain is.

Notorious for its awfulness and for roles with William Shatner and John Travolta, this one is guaranteed to entertain.  Don’t expect anything quality but to sit back and enjoy some fun!

5/10 stars.

Oh and check on the song below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ5br-okCMk

31 Day Horror Challenge Day Two: Carnival of Souls(1998)

The word crap can be used to describe several different things.  We all know its true meaning so I won’t go there.  No, it be used as a word for stuff, it can describe a how you feel about somebody, or it can be used as the perfect word to explain Wes Craven’s Carnival of Souls.  Although Craven has made some stinkers in his time, this is easily the worst I've seen.  Don’t see it, please!

Having witnessed her mother’s rape and murder by a carnival clown when she was a child, Alex is haunted well into her adult years.  She keeps seeing visions of the clown and the carnival even though it was closed down years before.  No one outside of her close circle seems to know her at all and the dreams she has begin to weigh her down.  This all leads to the most obvious “twist” ending maybe ever.

There are definitely films in which Wes Craven has shown he is a skillful and clever director, this is not one of those films.  Let me put it this way:  this is horrible compared to Michael Bay’s line of work!

1/10 stars.

31-Day Horror Challenge Day One: Mr. Sardonicus(1961)

Anyone who has seen a William Castle film knows they’re in for a treat when his name shows up in the opening credits.  They are not the greatest films ever and they’re not the most well done films ever but there are so many awesome little things thrown in that they are always enjoyable.  This one is no exception.

Prolific and revolutionary surgeon, Robert Cargrave, is summoned by an ex-love to whose husband’s face is permanently stuck in sadistic smile.  Once he arrives, he notices strange things going on such as strange experiments and screams in the night.  When his first attempt to fix Mr. Sardonicus’ face fails, he is offered a horrifying ultimatum.  In the end, you are responsible for Mr. Sardonicus’ fate, how will you decide?

If you enjoy cheesy old horror films, this is definitely a great fit for you.  There are actually cringe worthy moments and I think it has passed the test of time nicely.  Give it a look and remember to take the “Punishment Poll!”

8/10 stars.

Silent House(2012) **Warning - Contains Minor Spoilers**

People often talk about films that contain a good script but poor excution.  Silent House is the absolute opposite of this idea.  While it is done very well, the script suffers and eventually destroys itself.  That isn't to say that there aren't enjoyable things about a movie such as this but one shouldn't expect a masterpiece by any means.

Sarah(Elizabeth Olsen) and her father are in the process of packing up and working on their lake house in hopes of selling it.  When she starts hearing loud noises and her father disappears, it becomes evident that there is someone else in the house.  Moments of suspense and terror follow, however, they are done in by the obvious twist that is waiting just around the corner.  If you're paying attention, you'll know that this supposed revelation is about to strike at any moment.

The saddest part about this one is that it probably could have been great if not for the "twist" ending.  Fight Club, My Soul to Take, The Ward, High Tension, Shutter Island and so many more pictures have the exact same conclusion.  It's as if screenwriters aren't even trying anymore.  This a plea for at least attempting some originality.  Future writers, get on it!

4/10 stars. 

The Woman in Black(2012)

Being an avid fan of James Watkins' Eden Lake, it's only natural that I would be thrilled for his next film, The Woman in Black.  While it is a completely different picture, Watkins proves his versatility and that he can make a memorable movie of any genre.  It is is destined to be a horror favorite for the years to come and since the old fashioned style haunted house films aren't too common anymore, I'd venture to say that this is 2012's best of the horror genre.

Anyone who knows me knows that I despise jump scares.  They are cheap and add virtually nothing to the actual feeling of fear.  That being said, there are a few jump scares in this film but they aren't really used as a vehicle of fear.  It seems as though they are used to make the audience think the tension is over only to bring something much more frightening into play.  This movie relies on atmosphere and slow building suspense.

Anyways, let's get to the story.  Arthur Kipps(Daniel Radcliffe) is a lawyer sent to a remote village to take care of a deceased woman's estate.  After seeing things that he can't explain and experiencing the deaths of local children, he soon realizes that something awful is happening.  The conclusion is both terrifying and wonderful.

As you can see, I thought this film was wonderful and it really was a joy to see the old Hammer style brought back to life.  Daniel Radcliffe proves that there is life after Harry Potter and that he is a fine actor in general.  The script is beautiful and the direction is flawless.  Give it a go, you'll be happy you did.

9/10 stars.

The Wicker Tree(2010)

If you're a huge fan of 1973's The Wicker Man like I am(no, not that pitiful Nicolas Cage remake), then you have probably been eagerly awaiting this follow-up.  Its production was finished in 2010 but it didn't receive even a limited release until last Friday and a wide release is still pending.  Now, I know as well as anyone that lack of recognition doesn't make a bad film, but sadly, this is just that.  I wish I could tell you that that it's a worthy follow up to its predecessor but I would be blatantly lying to you.  Try to avoid this one.

Beth and Steve are two young Christian missionaries who are invited to a local festival in Tressock, Scotland.  Seeing it as an opportunity to share their love of Christ, they don't realize the resident's have a more sinister agenda.  Since this is a "re-imagining" of The Wicker Man, the story comes barreling toward one of the most predictable conclusions in the history of the silver screen.

The performances in The Wicker Tree aren't bad, and perhaps this is the fault of the script, but they aren't engaging enough to make you care about its characters by any means.  I thought director Robin Hardy would have had something much better up his sleeve but it has turned out to be a bust.  Word is that he is working on a third film in the series, hopefully it's better than this mess.

3/10 stars.

Take Shelter(2011)

As usual, I would venture to say that The Academy Awards are a joke this year.  So many films are overlooked because they're either not mainstream enough or they don't fit the perfect genre mold of the awards show.  I would say that Take Shelter is certainly one of those films.  It's not quite mainstream and its style won't necessarily appeal to the masses, but if this reviewer was in charge of the Oscar's, it would receive the best picture award.

Curtis(Michael Shannon) begins to have dreams and visions of an apocalyptic storm.  He becomes obsessed with fixing up his back yard's storm shelter.  Curtis' ultimate decision is whether he needs to work toward protecting his family or seek help for himself.  The conclusion will stay in your head for days after.

As I said earlier, this should have at least been considered for the best picture nomination.  Also, Michael Shannon's performance is incredible and should receive some form of recognition.  The direction and everything else is nearly flawless.  Since this film got a limited release and hasn't had its arrival on DVD announced yet, I hope you can see it soon, it's fantastic!

10/10 stars.

The Innkeepers(2012)

This slow building, crafty horror flick won't appeal to the modern ADD audience but any  true fan of the genre will be pleased with its throwback style.  When comparing it to other films, 1944's The Invited and the original version of The Haunting come to mind.  There are several other classics that The Innkeepers pays homage to, but I won't bore you with that.

Luke and Claire are the only two employees stuck with the task of working The Yankee Pedlar Inn's final weekend in business.  With only a couple guests and the second floor being the only one that hasn't been stripped, it seems that it is going to be a calm evening.  These assumptions are ruined when a strange old man checks in and refuses to sleep anywhere except a certain room on the third floor.  It all eventually leads to a frightening, ghost of a conclusion.

Director Ti West is really coming into his own with films like House of the Devil and now The Innkeepers.   I really hope he gets a chance to make dozens more films and that he isn't discouraged by the jaded, Tranformers fans out there.  Storytelling and actual suspense still matter to some of us!

8/10 stars.