Vampires is a French mockumentary in which a film crew follows a "family" of vampires. It is well-made and well-acted but subtitled for the English audience. It introduces a lot of vampiric rules to the movie and delves into vampire community politics on an international scale. It's all interesting enough for a while, but I admit to pausing the movie often while I went to do mundane things.
Largely, Vampires is a character study focusing on the brother, Samson. It manages to make a few sociopolitical points along the way, but it isn't really looking to do that. It's earnest entertainment and it succeeds on that level. I had a few minor grievances with the film but I'd forgotten them by the end.
From someone who isn't just crazy about vampires, this movie is a decent two hours spent.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
A rambling melange of pop-culture.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
On Supernatural Season 8 (2012-2013) - A Review
I know that Supernatural is a TV series and not a movie (yet) but I wanted to throw out a few thoughts I had on season 8 without breaking the whole flow of the 31 Days of Horror Movie Reviews. Further, season 8 just began so this is only a review of the first couple of episodes.
I was wholly unimpressed. I found the writing formulaic and obvious, the acting was phoned in completely, and the directing was radically different from anything we've seen in the series up to now. I do not dislike the directing, it's just different - as is the overall direction.
I was reminded of tabletop gaming a lot, as the brothers were well-armed, had glyphs tattooed on themselves to deter possession, and more along those lines. In a tabletop RPG, this kind of fast and loose playing with the "rules" of the genre is expected, but it's a little much in a TV show. This kind of thing is cheesy to begin with, even in tabletop gaming, but for whatever reason, I find it easier to accept in a gaming environment than on TV.
John Showalter directed this episode and he is best known for his mainstream TV work going back to the 90s. I don't think he had any connection to the series or genre and it showed on the screen. The second episode played far more like an 80s action flick than anything else, which would actually be okay were it not for the over-the-top tattoos and other nonsense.
Of course, Supernatural could film a steaming turd for 45 minutes and I'd still tune in so I'm not jumping ship just yet. Season 7 didn't really get me interested until the end but it did get there. The new "hardcore" action direction could be a good thing if handled correctly, I just don't think it has been so far.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
I was wholly unimpressed. I found the writing formulaic and obvious, the acting was phoned in completely, and the directing was radically different from anything we've seen in the series up to now. I do not dislike the directing, it's just different - as is the overall direction.
I was reminded of tabletop gaming a lot, as the brothers were well-armed, had glyphs tattooed on themselves to deter possession, and more along those lines. In a tabletop RPG, this kind of fast and loose playing with the "rules" of the genre is expected, but it's a little much in a TV show. This kind of thing is cheesy to begin with, even in tabletop gaming, but for whatever reason, I find it easier to accept in a gaming environment than on TV.
John Showalter directed this episode and he is best known for his mainstream TV work going back to the 90s. I don't think he had any connection to the series or genre and it showed on the screen. The second episode played far more like an 80s action flick than anything else, which would actually be okay were it not for the over-the-top tattoos and other nonsense.
Of course, Supernatural could film a steaming turd for 45 minutes and I'd still tune in so I'm not jumping ship just yet. Season 7 didn't really get me interested until the end but it did get there. The new "hardcore" action direction could be a good thing if handled correctly, I just don't think it has been so far.
© C Harris Lynn, 2012
On Troll 2 - A Review
Troll 2 is truly an abomination filmed. It acquired a large cult following in the late '00s thanks to airings on pay cable channels like HBO. The movie has been called "The Rocky Horror Picture Show of the MySpace generation" - of course, this was when MySpace mattered. Troll 2 received screenings and panels at conventions and outlets around the world, but it hit its peak of popularity in or around 2008-09 and has since waned.
Troll 2 has nothing to do with the first Troll movie. In fact, vegetarian goblins are the culprits at the heart of this shitburger. The writer explained that she had a lot of friends who were going vegetarian at the time and she despised the notion, so she made all the goblins push a vegetarian agenda.
Troll 2 is a bad movie, but it's bad enough to be entertaining. Watching it alone is a little much, but seeing it with others is a lot of fun. It isn't pure camp, as it was earnestly made, but that's the charm of Troll 2.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Troll 2 has nothing to do with the first Troll movie. In fact, vegetarian goblins are the culprits at the heart of this shitburger. The writer explained that she had a lot of friends who were going vegetarian at the time and she despised the notion, so she made all the goblins push a vegetarian agenda.
Troll 2 is a bad movie, but it's bad enough to be entertaining. Watching it alone is a little much, but seeing it with others is a lot of fun. It isn't pure camp, as it was earnestly made, but that's the charm of Troll 2.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
On Best Worst Movie - A Review
Best Worst Movie is a documentary on the actors reunion for the movie Troll 2. Troll 2 became a cult hit in the late '00s following its late night showing on pay cable channels like HBO. Troll 2 was made in 1990.
Best Worst Movie is celebratory but tragic in its way, and you know this going in. Not because we are watching it two years after it was made, but because you can just see the signs. The lead of Troll 2 made Best Worst Movie and followed the other lead, who played his father in the film, across the country and overseas to panels and screenings of the movie.
You can see the initial indifference blossom into fervent excitement that you already know is bound to fizzle. George Hardy is typical in his reaction to the popularity of the film and his place in it, but it's still hard to watch. Even harder to watch is the married team of director and writer, both of whom believe that the trainwreck of a movie is actually a good film. Neither understand that audiences enjoy the camp fun and stupidity, and do not consider it a well-made film. Again, both amusing and heart-wrenching at the same time. At one point, Claudio Fargasso - the director - berates the actors during a panel and is apparently ejected.
Michael Stephenson makes a great documentary with Best Worst Movie and I'd love to see more of his documentaries, but let's sincerely hope there is no Troll 2: Part 2.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Best Worst Movie is celebratory but tragic in its way, and you know this going in. Not because we are watching it two years after it was made, but because you can just see the signs. The lead of Troll 2 made Best Worst Movie and followed the other lead, who played his father in the film, across the country and overseas to panels and screenings of the movie.
You can see the initial indifference blossom into fervent excitement that you already know is bound to fizzle. George Hardy is typical in his reaction to the popularity of the film and his place in it, but it's still hard to watch. Even harder to watch is the married team of director and writer, both of whom believe that the trainwreck of a movie is actually a good film. Neither understand that audiences enjoy the camp fun and stupidity, and do not consider it a well-made film. Again, both amusing and heart-wrenching at the same time. At one point, Claudio Fargasso - the director - berates the actors during a panel and is apparently ejected.
Michael Stephenson makes a great documentary with Best Worst Movie and I'd love to see more of his documentaries, but let's sincerely hope there is no Troll 2: Part 2.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Thursday, October 11, 2012
On Street Trash - A Review
Street Trash has some measure of notoriety even amongst the underground B movie circuit. One of the major reasons is a scene involving a severed penis. Believe it or not, I haven't spoiled it.
Street Trash is a true B movie. It begins with a far-out concept based on a somewhat real-life fear, throws in some side story about mobsters, and pads the story and characters as much as possible to avoid having to show any sets or special effects. Most of it takes place in a junkyard though, and the special effects are actually pretty effective. There is another infamous scene for which Street Trash is known, and it is even less tasteful than the one with the severed penis.
I first saw this as an adolescent - a rental from a video store down the road - and actually kind of enjoyed it. I watched it again recently and felt about the same now as I did then. Street Trash is nothing to write home about and has some truly reprehensible scenes, but it has some sort of charm. The first act is very slow, but once it picks up, it really goes all-out.
Honestly, I can take or leave Street Trash. Again, be aware that it is quite offensive.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Street Trash is a true B movie. It begins with a far-out concept based on a somewhat real-life fear, throws in some side story about mobsters, and pads the story and characters as much as possible to avoid having to show any sets or special effects. Most of it takes place in a junkyard though, and the special effects are actually pretty effective. There is another infamous scene for which Street Trash is known, and it is even less tasteful than the one with the severed penis.
I first saw this as an adolescent - a rental from a video store down the road - and actually kind of enjoyed it. I watched it again recently and felt about the same now as I did then. Street Trash is nothing to write home about and has some truly reprehensible scenes, but it has some sort of charm. The first act is very slow, but once it picks up, it really goes all-out.
Honestly, I can take or leave Street Trash. Again, be aware that it is quite offensive.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
On Return of the Living Dead Pt. 2 - A Review
Return of the Living Dead Part 2 pales in comparison to its prequel, but is still an entertaining film. If you dig intentionally bad movies, this one does it with a unique flair. It is legitimately funny, but lacks the earnestness and fear factor of its predecessor. James Karen and Thom Matthews return for a brief introduction, but are not main characters in the film. Aside from that, it has little to nothing to do with the first Return of the Living Dead.
While it had a higher budget than the first movie, it did not utilize its resources as well. The special effects are still pretty good, but resort to animation at the end. RotLD2 also lacks direction; it leaps between comedy and half-hearted seriousness, never taking either direction too far for too long. It was a hit at the box office, though I do not recall it as vividly from childhood as I do the first installment and it did not hit #1 at the box office during its run (that I'm aware of).
RotLD2 is goofier than it is witty, and sillier than it is funny, but it's a good flick and an enjoyable way to spend an evening. It's also heavy on the special effects but light on the gore, so it's more apt to make you giggle than gross you out. The lead kid will annoy the shit out of you, if you're half-normal anyway, but the movie is definitely worth a view.
Return of the Living Dead Pt. 2 is recommended.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
While it had a higher budget than the first movie, it did not utilize its resources as well. The special effects are still pretty good, but resort to animation at the end. RotLD2 also lacks direction; it leaps between comedy and half-hearted seriousness, never taking either direction too far for too long. It was a hit at the box office, though I do not recall it as vividly from childhood as I do the first installment and it did not hit #1 at the box office during its run (that I'm aware of).
RotLD2 is goofier than it is witty, and sillier than it is funny, but it's a good flick and an enjoyable way to spend an evening. It's also heavy on the special effects but light on the gore, so it's more apt to make you giggle than gross you out. The lead kid will annoy the shit out of you, if you're half-normal anyway, but the movie is definitely worth a view.
Return of the Living Dead Pt. 2 is recommended.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
On Return of the Living Dead - A Review
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| Return of the Living Dead |
It was written and directed by Dan O'Bannon, who sadly passed away a few years ago, and released in 1985-86. I actually remember seeing the promos for this movie when I was a kid, and it reached #1 at the box office. I own a copy on VHS and caught it late one night on HBO several years ago now. The soundtrack had been changed to exclude at least one song. So there are two versions of this movie, but you get the full movie either way.
Return of the Living Dead holds-up incredibly well today. The special effects in particular are stellar. The concepts are dated, but not as much as you might think, and are completely passable even in today's age. Even the costuming, which is definitely dated, works in tandem with the production and seems right at-home. There is no mistaking this for anything other than an 80s film, but it is earnest in its scares and approach and just keeps coming.
Return of the Living Dead is one of my favorite horror flicks and receives the highest recommendation possible.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Monday, October 08, 2012
On Maximum Overdrive - A Review
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| Maximum Overdrive |
The Earth finds itself trapped in the tail of a large comet that makes mechanical objects spring to murderous life. A small band of survivors hole-up in a diner toward the outside of town and are forced to take a stand against the attacking vehicles. Maximum Overdrive stars a young Emilio Estevez in one of the few roles in which he really acts.
There is a definite gore factor in Maximum Overdrive. There's lots of blood, gunshot wounds, and more than a few explosions. You also have to suspend your disbelief a bit more than usual, but the very premise of the movie lends to that. It is also well-made, which lends to the suspension of disbelief and overall effect -- while it is certainly a B-movie concept, it was actually a major motion picture release.
The movie stands-up really well this many years down the road, and it was not an expensive movie. It did fairly well upon release, but was toward the middle of Stephen King's movie career -- before he really took-off as a Hollywood property. He was indisputably famous, but the movie would have been better received had it been released a few years later.
Maximum Overdrive is highly recommended.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
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