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.