American Poltergeist

Ever sat down to watch a movie and as you watch you think, 'I should go and do the dishes'. That's what I felt as I watched this travesty of a movie. My fellow horror movie fans, prepare for the worst telling of the Lizzie Borden story ever!
As I said, this film revolves around the Lizzie Borden legend. A group of collage students decide to move into the supposedly historical Borden house, unaware of its history. One of the girls apparently is a descendant of the Borden's. A fact she is unaware of. Upon getting into the house, the girl feels that there is something wrong and soon her and her friends are fighting the spirit of Lizzie Borden.
If I sound bored, its because I was. I mean...what the hell was that???? Seriously! I've seen bumper stickers with more depth than this. First off, the camera work was not even mediocre It looked like a really piss poor collage student film that got an 'F'. The acting was just as bad. It was horrible. I'm all for bringing in no-name actors, but only if they got skill. I've seen porn stars deliver more believable lines. The characters, I couldn't care less of. I was actually waiting for them to drop dead so the movie could end. I don't even remember their names. And don't get me started on the so called Borden house. It was a modern day nightmare. I would never believe that house was over 100 years old.
I would not recommend this movie to my worst enemy. It would violate the Geneva Convention. If your looking to get so bored that you decide to do house work, be my guest. I know I was inspired to get my housework done. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna watch some Ghost Adventures. You get a history lesson, a half decent scare, and guys yelling 'bro' and 'dude'.

The Witches

Not all movies of witches is of horror. Some are actually great for kids to watch as this 1990 film can claim. Now we must pay tribute to the legendary movie, The Witches.
The Witches, starring Anjelica Huston, tells the story of a young boy named Luke and his grandma who tells hims tales of witches. She tells him about their deep hatred towards children and how to spot them. During a vacation by the sea side, Luke finds the grand high witch holding a meeting with all of the witches of England. When he is discovered, they transform him into a mouse. Now him and his grandma must find a way to break the spell and stop the witches before they do the same to all the children of England.
I have this movie on my shelf and have watched it many times. It never gets old. With wonderful puppetry done by the talented crew of Jim Henson productions, this movie is plan awesome! The acting of Anjelica Huston is phenomenal. One of her best roles since The Addams Family.
I can't praise this movie enough. You should see it if you haven't. You will not be disappointed. Also guess what? This movie is actually based on a book. A book! Man, I got to read more...

Uncaged

Time for werewolves, awkward situations, insanity, and blood. Did that hype it up for ya a little? Hope so, cause its another 'eh', werewolf flick. Lets begin before we all go berserk.
This movie tells us the story of Jack, a guy who after his eighteenth birthday gets a mysterious letter from his Uncle to visit his home in the country. His cousin and friend join him and from there things get weird. After the night of the first full moon, Jack wakes up outside, naked and afraid. Actually just naked and not sure how he ended up outside. Using his friends GoPro, Jack discovers his family's dark secret after watching himself kill. Now he must make sure to cage up the beast within before he kills again.
I love werewolves. Love the lore of lycans. And this movie was, as I said before, 'eh'. The beginning sort of gives you the idea that the movie itself is based on a comic. Wait hold on...nope. Just looked online for a comic called Uncaged and its totally different than what the movie is about. The idea came to mind cause they used a bunch of comic art styles for it in some of the cut scenes and back stories. I'm not saying that movies that are not based on comics should not use the art form, but its implied when you see it. Anyways, the story itself is your average werewolf story. Dude learns he has a curse, tries to find ways to keep himself from killing, blah blah, howl howl. They do try to make it more interesting I guess when they add a bit of a side story with a survivor of Jacks first killing spree. But it just seems like such a last minute thought that you wonder why they did it in the first place.
The movie is not horrible, but its not something you need to go and watch immediately I'd wait until absolutely nothing is on and you are just bored and need background noise. I can't get over the werewolf make up. I get that it was a low budget film, but come on. We need more werewolves like in Underworld. Man those lycans rocked. Makes me want to go out and howl at the full moon. Dang, no full moon tonight. Oh well, gonna howl anyways....AARRRROOOOOOOO!

Happy Halloween!

Creatures of the night unite! Its Halloween!!! That wonderful time of year where candy is a meal and ghouls are the in crowd! Its also that time of year where you pull out all those wonderful horror movies to watch. So if your wondering what are some of the best horror movies to watch to keep that spirit of Halloween going all night long, may I present to you the updated The Pulse Halloween Movie Selection!

-The Nightmare Before Christmas
-The Addams Family
-Trick r Treat
-Night of the Living Dead (Original and Remake)
-Halloween (Original Version)
-Bram Stokers Dracula
-Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
-Grave Encounters 1&2
-Elvira; Mistress of the Dark
-Elvira's Haunted Hills
-Nightmare on Elm Street
-REC 1,2,3,4
-PumpkinHead
-Frankenweenie
-From Dusk Till Dawn
-The Craft
-Hocus Pocus
-The Exorcist
-Childs Play (All Chucky movies)
-Tales from the Darkside
-Sleepy Hollow
-Sinister
-Transylvania 6-5000
-The Frighteners
-House on Haunted Hill
-Scream
-Nothing But Trouble
-Annabelle
-The Conjouring 1 and 2
-Monster House
-Young Frankenstein
-Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies
-Crimson Peak
-Hellraiser
-Extraordinary Tales
-Misery
-Tucker and Dale VS. Evil
-Mama
-Friday the 13th

These are but a few of the epic horror and thriller movies out there that would fit this day perfectly. Some you may recognize from our last post of Horror Pulse picks for Halloween. Do you know some great Halloween movies that keep the spirit of this creepy night going? Let us know. Until next review everyone...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

The Presence (Die Prasenz)

From the great country of Germany, a mockumentary of three friends, a creepy castle, and a bunch of loud noises that make you jump.
A couple of college students named Markus and Lukas decide to go on a trip to a old castle rumored to be haunted. Markus brings his girlfriend Rebecca with them, who is not happy with the idea. They tell about the dark history of the castle, they settle in and during their stay something dark and sinister comes to not only to make noise and move doors, but to bring them face to face with the terror they wish to document.
Now nearly all horror mocumentaries are the same. Shaky camera, loud noises, and some jump scares that usually involve some loud noises. The Presence delivers all and even some that help with the illusion of it being 'found footage'. One being the camera doing odd things on its own such as moving or malfunctioning because of the presence of a spirit.
This movie does deliver a lot of good scares. The only thing going against it is that when you learn about the history of the castle, they seem to just gloss over it leaving a gap in the story that helps to explain why things are happening. They do give a brief discussion of the dark history and if I may add incest like history of the castle. Other than that there is that story gap that just drives ya crazy. At least me. I like completion. Typical, I know. But I am what I am.
Anyways, final thought: good with the scares, ok with the story. If your were doing a mockumentary horror night, you could add it. If you don't mind subtitles. If you don't like reading than don't watch this. I will say this...loved the kitchen, not too keen on having a door that leads to a dungeon in the kitchen. Plus poltergeist are so noisy. Excuse me! I'm trying to sleep! Put those chairs back!

The Curse of Sleeping Beauty

Ah, the story of Sleeping Beauty. Who doesn't know this tale? From the Disney version to the down right dark version, this story has been told over and over. Now we get a new spin on this classic tale...but its not as good as you'd want it to be.
We are introduced to Thomas Kaizer. A near shut in artist who dreams of...you guessed it...a beautiful woman who is sleeping. He later learns that he had an uncle who has died and left his big house full of mannequins and dust to him. With the help of his new found friend Linda and her friend Richard, Thomas learns that his family is actually cursed and the sleeping girl, whose name is actually Briar Rose, is the key to it. But they must fight djinns, a creature called the Veiled Demon, and decode an old book to find the truth. And the truth is something I think anyone who watches it would of guessed after a while.
To be honest I had a bit of high hopes for this movie. I mean, the beginning was a bit interesting, and when I saw Briar Rose's outfit you just think, 'wow, that's cool'. But then as it goes on, you are just trying to look for anything more interesting to focus on...like the mannequins. Seriously, you are more interested in the mannequins than the story itself. It has some fairly decent creepy spooks and the evil live mannequins were not too shabby. Plus Briar Roes' outfit, again, was really awesome, and the dream sequences were not bad. But to be honest you loose interest in between scenes and you would either have to watch the movie one more time or wiki it to get what the frack they were talking about. Mostly cause you lost interest and you started drifting.
This movie seemed like it had potential. I'd like to think it did, but it fell short fast when they waited to just squeeze everything in at the very end. Plus some things are not explained properly. Examples are; why were Thomas' family cursed in the first place? Why were them djinn creatures there? And why didn't anyone before Thomas think to just take the book, decipher it and figure things out that way? Just a bunch of things glazed over to quick for my taste. I'd have to watch it again to figure it out. No, screw that. I'm just gonna take a nap. Maybe dream up that awesome dress. Yeah, that would look so good on me...

Extraordinary Tales

Feel like a movie that offers both terror, poetry, and beautiful art? A fan of Edgar Allen Poe? Well do I have the movie for you! Ladies and gentleman, I give you Extraordinary Tales.
A film comprised of individual stories written and inspired by the gothic poet Edgar Allen Poe, this movie tells the various tales of such pieces as The Tell Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum, and other tales. Each with its own creative animation. Each narrated by a well know actor. Actors such as the beloved Sir Christopher Lee and even an old recording of Bela Lugosi that is just haunting.
Lovers of Edgar Allan Poe would appreciate the artistic telling of the poets writing. Those who are lovers of animation will love the various styles that are used to accompany the tales being told. If you find yourself feeling like you need something that brings terror, but also feel like something that inspires, I highly recommend this movie. The only thing I wish they did was the story of the Raven. But you can't have everything. So here is the ending quoted....
'And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted, nevermore!'

The Conjuring 2

Once again we enter the world of the famed paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. Traveling back into a time of ghosts, demons, and 70's bell bottom pants. Spooky.
We start at the famed Amityville house, where the Warrens are investigating the evil haunting that drove the family out. After a terrifying premonition Lorraine wants to take a break from their spook chasing. Over in England, a family begins to have some creepy happenings that escalate to the point where the church asks for the Warrens to aid. Not wanting to turn down a family in need, the ghost hunting duo go to investigate and collect evidence of the supposed haunting. Once there, they encounter strange occurrences a little girl possessed, and a very unfriendly spook who isn't what they seem to be.
If you loved the first Conjuring, then you will love this sequel. I'm serious. When I started watching this, and they did the whole Amityville haunting thing I was most impressed. Spoiler alert, those who are familiar with the Amityville haunting will remember the infamous picture of the creepy ghost boy, and it is referenced in this movie. I will admit that there is this one scene that is a little on the corny side and could of been left out, but you forgive that fault. So see it and be enthralled. There is one thing that I feel I must always say during and after these movies...people, ouija boards whether hand made or store bought are a big NO NO NO NO!!!

Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies!

A zombie movie with class and pretty dresses? A Jane Austin story twisted into a gore fest with butt kicking chicks? Yes people...that has happened!
A sick twist on the Pride and Prejudice story. This movie tells of Coronal Darcy, a zombie hunter with a cold dimer, and Elizabeth, a woman whose fancy dress hides guns and knives. England has been plunged into a world of zombie chaos. Over the years, England has become a place where the people either can defend themselves against such monsters or become the monsters food (or one themselves). The Bennet daughters are both lovely and deadly. Yet most of them want to find a well to do husband. But not Elizabeth. She may want a guy but not at the price of her pride or weapons. When Elizabeth and Darcy meet, it becomes the clash of the titans. But even during a zombie apocalypse, proper etiquette must be observed.
Loved it! Loved it! LOVED IT!! Oh my gosh, I never would of thought dressing for a fancy party could be so awesome. Especially when you got a gun hooked to your garter belt and a knife tucked into your corset. Epic! And that scene *spoiler alert* where Darcy and Elizabeth are arguing AND beating the snot out of each other, 'sniff', so romantic! If you haent' seen it, see it! You will not be disappointed. And Lena Heady, the gal from 300 and Game of Thrones is in it as Darcy's zombie killing, high class Aunt.
This movie did teach me one thing...you can dress all pretty and proper, and still kick some zombie butt!!!

Crimson Peak

Crimson Peak...sounds like a interesting vampire movie right? Wrong. Its actually a story with ghosts in it.
Edith is a modern times woman. Independent, stubborn, and a upcoming writer. She soon meets the very handsome and charming Thomas Sharpe. A English man who has come to America to seek some financial support for an invention of his. He swoons our heroine and after the death of her father, marries her and takes her to England. there she is haunted by some creepy ghosts who seem to give her more of a warning to leave her new home, Crimson Peak, before its too late.

Murder, mystery, ghosts and some neat fashion and architecture. Crimson Peak is actually 'very pretty' as quoted by a fellow movie lover. It does have a great errie quality to it. that is after the beginning with the whole getting to know the characters, story development and such. But like many of Guillermo del Toro's movies, you learn more about the characters first before you get to the 'interesting' parts.

I pretty much like this movie. Got some neat characters in it, neat costumes, Gothic atmosphere, and the ghosts are pretty cool too! Its a twisted love story with a haunted sinking house that I would so love to live in. Even if there is a hole in the ceiling.

Ravenous

Ravenous. Just the sound of the word makes you think. 'wow. This is either going to be a great blood bath, or some creepy love flick'. There was no creepy romance though. Just blood and a intersting group of characters and canniblism.
The movie centers around a young soldier who, after the Mexican-American war, gets sent to California to add some extra man power to an already awkward set of keepers of a Fort. The fort is soon visited by a man who claims to of been part of a band of settlers traveling through to Sierras when they got lost and after exhausting all food rations resorted to cannibalism. However, there is more to the strangers story and the small group are soon picked off by something that craves human flesh.

This film, is not close to being scary. Entertaining in a way, but not scary. The opening credits give the feeling of a comedy instead of a bloody thriller. Than when introducing the characters, again, feels kind of like a comedy. Ten it goes all serious with the cannibalism, power hungry villains, and blood splatter.
The acting was decent, the story was doable, the characters that mattered were fine. But the camera shots, the music, the tone. It just felt out of place. I'm not even sure if ti even knew what it was. Its one of those movies that you watch when you just don't have a clue what you want to watch. Its really good background noise really. I just can't get over that sweater Guy Pearce was wearing. I swear I had seen it in a mall at one time. I should go to the mall, find that sweater, and tell people if you wear this cannibals will come and eat you.

Hellraiser

N: Open the box. I dare you. What is contained inside shall be unleashed and the villains from another dimensional hell will come forth to give you pleasure in the form of pain. No doubt I was hooked right from the start. Every consuming angle shot in this flick made me want to take part, but could I handle the pain of being peeled away and taken from this world into a place that becomes your own hell on earth.
 The Characters and plot have been well written. Though its a bit confusing of what is really taking place nonetheless when Pinhead comes out to play he shall not let you down.

D: I got to tell ya a secret; though I am a horror movie lover I have not seen this movie till now. Seriously. Why did I wait so long you ask? Because, that's why. Now onto the frightfulness that is Pinhead!
A mysterious puzzle box is found and when it is opened, a manners of hell break loose upon the semi-willing victim. After such an event, a family moves into the house of said victim. The victim is apparently the brother of the father of this family. It is revealed to his niece Kristy, that this man used the box to release the Cenobites, a team of creatures led by the infamous Pinhead, who were once human but now serve to collect souls. Her uncle escaped them and is now on the loose. The Cenobites now wish to reclaim their prize.
I'm telling you man, some of the movies that were made in the 80's may have been cheesy as cheddar, but holy box they were awesome! I can't believe that I had waited so long to see this. Pinhead is amazing, the costumes for the Cenobites are amazing, its all just amazing!! I love the story and gruesomeness that accompanies it. Oh Pinhead I could kiss you! Ahhh my eyes!

Horns

Imagine if you will, going on a drinking binge, waking up the next morning, only to find that your head is sprouting horns and Daniel Radcliffe is cussing like a sailor on Monday. Cause that's what this movie is all about!

Harry Potter...I mean Daniel Radcliffe plays Ig. A young man who is blamed by the whole town for the murder of his long time girlfriend. Out to find the true killer and clear his name, Ig finds himself in a new predicament when he wakes up from a fun night of drinking his pain away, to discover, drum roll please...he has grown horns. And these horns have special powers. Each individual he runs into seems to confess their deepest, darkest thoughts and secrets. Discovering this, he decides to take his new ability and find the true murderer of his beloved, raising all kinds of good hellish fun.

If you wanted a movie to show that the young Daniel Radcliffe has grown up, by golly this is it. Some sexy time with a pretty gal, cussing like me after I stub my toe. Its just insane. And the movie itself is just too awesome! I mean, I not only was intrigued by the plot, but there were bits that were so flipping funny! It was a great mixture of comedy and tragedy.

I can not recommend this movie enough. It will make you laugh, cry, and scream out 'stop cussing Harry Potter'! At least that's what one of my friends did. Plus, did you know this movie is based off a book? Seriously? Great, now I have to start reading again.

Deliver us from Evil

D: Ok kiddies. Its time for that for us to once again dive into that genre of horror that is based on possession. Up on the blog boards is the movie Deliver us from Evil...based on a true story.
We are introduced to a New York cop named Ralph, who is thrown into a world of demons after a routine call. Soon he is involved with many cases that seem to be connected as bodies start to pile up and he comes face to face with the possessed souls of many innocent victims as well as his own darkness.
Yes, its a standard demon movie complete with demonic possessions and spirituality, but its not a bad movie. Its actually kind of unnerving. Usually one person is, lets call it infected, but in this...wow. So many people are involved.

N: An evil lurks-coursing from one person to the next, giving way to a group of possessed individuals; tear apart family and friend as the possession makes them rot from the inside out. Several cops that conduct undercover work became entangled in this darkness.  

Dearly Departed and the future of Pulse

As many of you may have noticed, there hasn't been a lot of posting this last year. There is a reason. The founder of this blog, Nick Lewis, left this earthly realm to join the spirits on the other side. He had been fighting colon cancer for two years and in February of 2015, he departed from us. I, his partner in this blog and fiance (wife as he called me), had been in mourning since. You wouldn't notice since my color is nearly nothing but black. But that's neither here nor there.

 I have decided that though he is gone, I shall take it upon myself to continue the blog we both loved doing. It won't be the same without his darkly elegance, but I will keep our love of horror and thrills alive.

We do have some posts that we had both written but were not published to to his medical circumstance. As always he was ahead and had already written his thoughts, I just need to write mine. So, soon I will be posting them and you will all have the privilege to read his final thoughts on some of the final horror movies we had watched together. There will also be a few after those posts done by me, as I have finally brought myself to watch horror movies again. Strange how grief causes you to not want to do the things you love. I have also been thinking of having a guest do a post with me from time to time.

So join me in raising a classy glass to our beloved departed, Nick. May you inspire us and spook us from the other side.