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.