Aftermath

N: Well I cant say why I decided to watch this horrific film, but can only remark that I must watch every horror/thriller/slasher film so this film came up and I clicked play not really knowing what I was getting myself into.This film shot in Spain, is best describe as being one of the most disturbing films to date that I have seen. Though in retrospect the cinematography was well  done and even not counting that not one single sentence was ushered from the characters during the full 30 minutes that this film ran I can only remark that I am still trying to recover from what I just saw. Yet is that not the nature of horror films I would have to ask. Leave you frightened and scared into a maddening mind bender as graphic images plauge you until your are huanted for the rest of your life?
It makes me wonder what really takes place at the morgue-behind the curtains late at night. This film is so graphic in nature that though I recommend seeing it I will have to put it in cold storage. Warn you of what will take place, and so it will remain in the realm of limbo forever.

Bag of Bones

N: In this television mini series, an older and successful author is suddenly struck with a grave tragedy that puts him over the edge and on the brink of madness. The author Mike Noonan (played by Pierce Brosnan) escapes to his cabin and finds himself not only dealing with sever writers block, but becomes tangled in an estranged mystery that involves supernatural ghosts and hell bent townsfolk that are trying to keep a dark secrete from rising to the surface. I was very impressed with the entire storyline and was captivated as Mike Noonan tried to keep a grip on reality. The effects and character dramatisation was outstanding. I highly recommend this movie, but be careful not to drown in the dark eerie waters...

Dark Shadows

D: Alright our dear fans of Tim Burton and the ever so popular Johnny Depp, we got a classic for you. Well...not so much a classic as a remake of a classic. I give you Tim Burton's version of the popular goth soap classic, Dark Shadows. I know, a soap opera tv show that sounds cool. Impossible. But back in the 60s-early 70s it was.
Now if your fans of the old show you already know a few things, maybe even more. But to those (like me I admit) you only know of the movie. Well it's about a vampire (not a twilighty one) who is trying to bring honor back to his family's name and keep them all together, while trying to gain back his humanity. That is what the movie is about.
Now through out this movie, you get a pretty groovy feeling of a real 70s movie. The way it was made reflects the time beautifully. Even down to the classic vampire makeup that Depp has screams old time vampire flick. There are even many funny and quirky moments that make you chuckle.
Aside from all that, the movie does have some draw backs such as moving events fast and throwing loads of information into one scene instead of dealing it out one by one. But I suppose that's what happens when you are making a movie based off of a five year long series.
My conclusion, I have mixed feelings about this one. I found it good, but unsure if I would want to wait in line for it when it comes out onto DVD...or Blueray..whatever. My suggestion, if your a fan of the old TV series or Tim Burton, go see the movie and compair.. or, just go see it. Its a fun night movie. I still can't believe there was a cool gothy soap opera on and I was never told....what else has been kept from me??

N: If you feel a cold spell creeping down your neck that just might mean that a blood sucking vampire by the name of Barnabas Collins (Depp) is lurking in the shadows. Beware because if he is not stalking you then it must be another one of the crazy Collins. While this dark yet comical filled movie impressed me I felt like something was lacking. I have only seen a few episodes of the TV series and I could defiantly tell that Tim Burton was trying to squeeze the entire series into one film. Though he did pull it off I was a little disappointed in some of the character development. I suggest if you need a midnight snack this would be a movie to see. Just watch out for Barnabas Collins.

Session 9

D: Alright crazy people, take a seat as we ramble on in our straight jackets about this one movie known as Session 9. Yep, a movie that takes place in the historical Danvers State Hospital in Danvers Massachusetts. It's a beautiful tale about a group of asbestos exterminators that are hired to get rid of the rotten stuff in a closed insane asylum. As the movie progresses we learn about the history of the nut house and of course about the characters who are just your average joe.
As the movie starts up and you are taken on a grand tour of the asylum and its creepy history. As they go through you are actually enthralled with the creepy atmosphere and the personalities of the workers.
Now this movie starts out strong and you can't help but wonder about the dark spooky history of the hospital and how it affects the characters. However..as the movie progresses you expect to see a nice scary scene. But unfortunately there isn't. It's just a nice mental movie that plays with your mind. It's not shelf worthy in my book. But its something different to watch other than the pink snake crawling up my wall....oh, there he is. Here snaky. Come to D.....

N: I am filled with an icy chill that courses through my body as we are introduced to this movie "Session 9" An asylum that has been closed for ages becomes the main stage and setting for this horror movie. The grounds are eerier as nature and death have overtaken the grounds and though the patients have long been dead or gone you can still feel as though the asylum is still flourishing. Silence echoes within the hallways and around every dark corner I brace myself in fear that something will slither out of the shadows. While sudden attacks of hysteria course through me, I try and grasp an understanding of the characters and who the real killer maybe.  While we become entangled throughout the movie the history of the asylum and a patient in particular comes to light I realize that I am not at all impressed with the characters development even though something horribly wrong is going on. I can only file this movie within Limbo. I am undecided at this point.

The Countess

D: Time for a lesson in history ladies and gentlemen. Do you know who Countess Elizabeth Báthory is? She was a Hungarian countess who was accused of killing over 600 young virgins and then bathing in their blood. Why you ask? Well, its simple. To keep herself young and beautiful. Good times.
This movie is about that very same countess. It tells her story through the eyes of a young man who knew her. It begins with her upbringing, to her early years as countess, up to when she began to obsess over remaining young. The way she discovers this so called fountain of youth is as disturbing as her methods to obtain the blood of these young girls.
As the movie progresses, the narrator makes you question whether or not this is actually true due to the politics of the land and how 'history is made by the victors'. So you get a bit dizzy trying to figure out if its all a conspiracy or not.
Aside from the conspiracy theory and such, this movie does make a person question the very sanity of the countess, and cringe at the thought of using human blood as a beauty treatment. I for one wouldn't go to a spa that offers bloody facials.
There are plenty of bloody scenes and the story is actually fascinating. Kind of makes you want to pick up a history book and compare notes. All in all, this wasn't a bad movie. Though not frightening, it has a disturbing plot. Bloody good times!

An American Werewolf in London

N: This movie is defiantly a movie worth checking out. Its fantastic. Great dialogue. Yes this movie has dialogue. The special effects for a film for the 1980s is actually very well done. They could have done better, but lets go easy on them being that the technology is not what it is today. Also the sex scenes between David and Nurse Alex Price get very steamy and was a howling good time to watch. In addition the dream sequences one in particular that I don't wish to spoil was very disturbing. Shocking in a way and sort of amusing I would say. Just as abruptly most victims in the movie had been attacked I would say the film ended rather abruptly, but perhaps that was a good thing

The Haunting of Connecticut

N: I have noticed that a flood of films pertaining to hunting's and exorcisms have cropped up in the past few years. Some I'm sure are remakes while I hope most are original, but these days its hard to be sure.
   When I started watching The Haunting in Connecticut I was hoping not to be disappointed. Indeed, I was not. I was very satisfied with the opening credits as a flood of old photographs filled the screen, subjecting me with death and giving me a sort of back story. Throughout the movie a montage of spacial effects and uncanny props haunt you as the characters try and cope with sickness and death.
  It always seemed like it would be fun to move to a new house that was in a sate of disrepair. But in truth its not. Take my word. In fact I have lived in places that where borderline haunted. Excerpts-Haunted Havens.  Sometimes I would stand at the top of the stairs that lead down to another hallway and I would just stand for hours listening. Listening to the silence and then I would hear the footsteps and other strange things that moved about in the church. Also while on this subject matter of hunting's, maybe the souls not only need to be need to be released from the church, but at my parents house as well..well my grandfather to be exact. Then maybe it would not feel so empty and hollow and cold. Maybe I would not feel like someone is walking through the hallways at night. Watching me from within the darkness.
 I suggest that you turn off the lights and prepare yourself to be penetrated by phantosms and dark illusonary forces.

Nosferatu

N: A phantasm of mysterious imagery depicting a serial adaptation of vampires, will by all means certainly quench your thirst in the 1922 Nosferatu. Thus, while this vampires in particular (as I would assume as much as any vampire) enjoys the napes of women with long necks and as we all know must survive through the immortal existence of replenishing themselves with the nourishment of blood, along the way many men will face death at the hands of this vampire.This movie will indefinitely make you feel that you are part of a real horror picture show as creatures alike crawl out of the shadows to fulfill an obsession. 
    And of course lets not forget foolish men that go to the ends of the earth to do business only to fall into the portals of darkness. The portals where stalking shadows ensnare your very mind until you are no longer in control. Until you become brainwashed and a slave to a higher-deeper darkness. As the sinister vampire begins a plot of establishing a new existence therefore, involves a few fellows to assist him. One man in particular, as mentioned meets his faith and one becomes seduced by a spell. Not the seduction of sexual lust by no means. But becomes the slave to do the bidding of the vampire. The "master" as he his called by a man that becomes so insane that he feasts on insects. Feeds on spiders and other creepy crawling things. Though a lovely women is seduced within the mind by the nocturnal spells cast by the vampire, and thus this women becomes so intoxicated with sexual temptations that she goes mad; as her body craves the fangs of the vampire. This movie may cause your own madness that in the end will hypnotize you into an eerie soundless dream.
   It is strange that I have waited so long to see this movie. So even though I would pay tribute to this film I cast it as a recommendation. As I watched the film it reminded me of "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" I grow fond of these silent films that put me into a transcending trance, and I often find myself captivated in a strange wonderland.

The Raven

N: When I first saw the previews for this movie it only added to my wish list of movies to see this year. Especially being that John Cusack was playing the famous writer. That being said as I finally was able to catch this flick at the Living Room Theaters (Portland Oregon) as we sat down with our drinks, Edgar Allan Poe's words started to fill my mind. Ravens began circling in my thoughts. Squawking the famous lines "Quoth the Raven. Nevermore." and though countless homages have paid tribute to this fantastic poet and literary writer this new renditions will centrally be added to my stock of home movie selections. In this case I think I will place this movie next to my Sherlock homes. In fact it had the same feel as the Sherlock Holmes movies that just came out, which is not a bad thing. not at all. Especially if you enjoy that sort of gritty 19th Century perspective of life. Though I somehow feel that something was missing, but I can't put my talons on what aspects of the move I thought could have been stronger. Well maybe its like all the other movies that fall into the category of mystery and murder. Follow the clues and as you cross paths with the killer ( that is not reveled until the end) you some how feel like you have seen been here before. yet if you need to spend a few moments in gut cringing pain then keep in mind "The Pit and the Pendulum." You won't be disappointed.  I think sometimes that I myself was born in the wrong century I told this to Deanne as we left the theater. As a poet and writer myself I would have found my place at home....
D: Quoth the Raven...make me into a movie. And he has been. Well at least the famous writer Edgar Allen Poe has been. Yes, a movie that is based upon this tortured poet and his writings. Murder, mystery, and mayhem all play a part in this tale as the creative genius trys to unravel the mysteries behind a madman killer who is using the poets writings as inspiration for his murder spree.
As if its not enough you are trying to figure out who the murderer is, you are wondering which of Poe's brilliant poems will be used to portray the next murder as well as remembering those tales he is known for. As said before you will not be disappointed in this movie. I recommend this for the Poe lovers and mystery lovers everywhere. And to quote the poet..now is the winter of our discontent...what? That's not Poe?...

The Last Lovecraft

N: I feel an overshadow of burden fill my heart as this movie, an homage to the beloved Science fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft and my personal favorite writer; has the worst acting and stage productions I have ever seen. Well maybe I've seen some other movies such as Hunter Pray recently, which was offal by the way (only saw these two movies mentioned here on Netflix. Thank God I have a free trail and am not paying to see these movies) Though much of this movie has a great storyline and while a few seconds of the movie are thrown into an epic animated graphics comic style (in order to tell the back story.) I was completely lost and in utter disbelieve as this moves started to wrap up.  Even though others have taken Lovecrafts stories and have made adaptations, perhaps I should write a homage to Lovecraft? Then we can actually repair the damages that this movie has left behind.