Tag Archives: review

Apr 15 2018

[Review] – Cronos (1993)

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Starring: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

I’m often told that Cronos is one of the most unique takes on the vampire genre, but the truth is it’s not really a vampire film. You certainly shouldn’t expect any of the fangs, bats, capes, and stakes (or, shudder, glitter) you’ve come to associate with the genre of late – because even though Cronos does feature a man with a thirst for blood, it is about as much a vampire film as Hellraiser is. That doesn’t take anything away from Guillermo Del Toro’s 1993 directorial debut, however, as it remains an imaginative and engaging film with the director’s trademark peculiarity pumping through its veins. Continue reading →

Jun 1 2015

[Review] – It Follows (2014)

img_3936Directed By: David Robert Mitchell

Starring: Maika Monroe, Jake Weary

Fornicating teens find themselves at the mercy of a slow-walking, relentless, and surprisingly creepy demonic entity  in this intriguing, atmospheric 80’s throwback.

The cinematic influences of director David Robert Mitchell are very clear from the first scene of It Follows. John Carpenter’s off-kilter, voyeuristic camera and synthesised soundtrack are all present and correct, as well as an abstract central threat reminiscent of Wes Craven’s best work.

Maika Monroe excels in her role as Jay, the unfortunate newest recipient of the curse, lending a vulnerability and strength to a character that so easily could have been disposable, and her supporting cast of surprisingly understanding friends adds an element of camaraderie that’s actually quite unusual for films in this genre. Continue reading →

Nov 7 2014

[Review] – Exists (2014)

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Directed by: Eduardo Sanchez

Starring: Samuel Davis, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards

A group of thrill-seeking pricks are hunted by a big smelly monkey in this derivative plop from the director of The Blair Witch Project.

You’d be correct to say that the ‘found footage’ genre has seen a rise in popularity in the fifteen years since The Blair Witch Project first terrified the world, and pioneering director Eduardo Sanchez has attempted to best his low budget hit a few times in the years since.

He’s had a go at aliens in the largely-ignored-but-serviceable ‘Altered’, psychological spookery in ‘Lovely Molly’ and even zombies in VHS 2’s segment ‘A Ride in the Park’, but they have all struggled to match the impact originality of his first tale of woodland witchery. Continue reading →

Oct 29 2014

[Review] – Annabelle (2014)

annabelle-posterDirected by: John R. Leonetti

Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton

An ugly demonic doll terrorises a squeaky clean American couple in this poorly executed, soulless cash-in.

Before I get started on why this film is terrible, i just want to clarify my stance on spooky dolls. They scare the piss out of me. Dolls are inherently frightening – that much is certain – but if you’re going to focus the plot of an entire movie around one, there needs to be more beneath the surface.

Annabelle is the hotly anticipated feature film starring that hideous haunted doll from the opening scene of The Conjuring. Unfortunately it takes no cues from it’s polished yet unnerving predecessor, and we seem to have ended up with a dull, by-the-numbers shocker that, despite it’s subject matter, lacks any discernible soul. Continue reading →