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nick121235

the beginning of this movie is original and fun, probably a 7/10. somewhere in the last 1/3 of this movie it devolves greatly and becomes boring and painful to watch. John Hopkins performance in the end of this film is, quite frankly, cringeworthy. I will not be watching this again.
7 years ago
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nick121235

absolute trash.
7 years ago
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nick121235

For some reason I just didn't like this film as much as most of Swanberg's output. Straighforward plot is just not what he does best, his strongsuit has always been character study, and with this film his characters were all sort of one dimensional; even the main character, though more rounded, falls a bit flat. I just feel like the story did not fit well with Joe Swanberg's easy mumblecore style, and felt a little forced.
7 years ago
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nick121235

Guilty pleasure if there ever was one.
7 years 1 month ago
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nick121235

There is just something about the magic of giallo.
Sergio Martino once again manages to bring a good thriller to the italian screen. This is an early example of giallo films and probably his best after Strange Vice.
Tacky and badly edited, but full of visual excess and both sexual and gory exploitation, this is a classic example of the italian sensual thrillers that any true slasher fan has come to know and love.
In most films the jumpy, confusing plot would be a detractor, but in movies like these it only adds to the overall, somehow classy, campiness.
I would say that Torso is a very definitive giallo, probably a good one to show to someone unfamiliar with the genre as a starting point for what it's all about, having just the right balance of everything without too much artiness as can sometimes be hard to stomach in Argento's peices for the newcomer.
One of my favourite scenes is the one set in the swamp. It's refreshingly original and although there are some lighting issues it's fairly visually appealing.
That being said, this film can feel a bit long, it does suffer from some pacing issues and the idea is stretched to create a full length film when it really needed a little more.
7 years 1 month ago
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nick121235

Romero had always been one for low budget excursions but later in life he just got lazy.
Adaptations of books are almost always a disappointment for those who have read the novel, but The Dark Half is more than just that. I think I remember reading that The Dark Half was the result of Romero working with a big studio, similar to what happened with Monkey Shines.
But where that movie succeeded, this one failed with flying colors. The Dark Half has all the subtlety of being hit over the head with a brick- that is to say the dialogue has 'family approved' stamped all over it.
If you thought Stephen King was obtuse you're in for a real treat with this.
Another thing I disliked, both with this and with his next film Bruiser, is the use of CGI. Some like it, but to me it will always look cheap and tacky. Like I said earlier, Romero always worked well on a budget but it seems like later in life he was just cutting corners.
I think the only thing I enjoyed about this entire movie were the shots with the birds flying, some of those looked really nice. In fact, the only reason I finished the movie is because I have to finish everything I start, otherwise I would have turned this off immediately.
The Dark Half is just bland, nothing jumps out, the dialogue is painful, and the gory scenes are sadly edited to show minimal blood and gore. The whole thing comes off like a Disney special. Definitely not something i'll be watching again.
7 years 1 month ago
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nick121235

One of the best zombie movies of all time. Unintentionally hilarious in many aspects, great special effects, and the soundtrack is memorable as hell.
7 years 1 month ago
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nick121235

This really is somewhat of a hidden gem among slashers, which as you will know if you are a slasher aficionado, is a valuable find.
I went into Night School not really expecting much for some reason. Well, I say 'for some reason', but let's face it- even if you are a hardcore slasher and/or horror fan, you can't deny the fact that most of these films can be unoriginal at best and downright trash more often than you'd like to admit. Especially 80's slashers, i'm sad to say.
But every so often in our sojourns we find a pleasant surprise that makes the hours spent watching awful movies worthwhile.
Night School is one of those movies. This film, while really not too original, is still head and shoulders above most of its peers. Beholden more to the Italian giallo of the decade before than its Halloween inspired contemporaries, Night School makes up for what it lacks in plot with atmosphere and campy situations and dialogue.
I say campy, but I mean campy in the way that films such as Suspiria or even Friday the 13th were campy; the dialogue can be peculiar and silly but it contributes to an overall sense of dream logic.
The London setting also adds to the overall atmosphere.
In conclusion this film is a good (but not great) one by my standards, but don't go into expecting a typical 80's cheesy slasher.
I enjoyed it once and I'd probably enjoy it again; I'd say it's definitely worth a re-watch.
Oh and as a little side note all of that talk about anthropology and ancient cultures practicing beheading and cannibalism gave me an intense urge to watch Fulci's Zombi 2 again... seek it out and watch it if you can get your hands on it, that one is highly recommended if you like Italian cannibal exploitation films.
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

This film was alright but it certainly wasn't groundbreaking or anything. Intruder was a fairly typical slasher, and the fact that it was released in 1989, about the time the entire slasher craze was over, is pretty telling; this movie sort of sums up the entire reason that the slasher subgenre was falling out of fashion- it had gotten boring.
Intruder isn't exactly a BAD film, but it's extremely unoriginal. The plot is very basic and straightforward, there's really nothing going for it, and the only reason it exists is to serve as a backdrop for the killings. And the killings aren't all that spectacular either. They're mostly rehashes of scenes from earlier slashers and special effects, while adequate, do nothing to save them.
Everything that happens plot-wise is more than obvious and the writers rely heavily on the whole 'final girl' thing, which doesn't really work out that well.
Despite all of this, Intruder is still pretty fun and while I wouldn't re-watch it, it's not a bad way to waste an hour and a half. Just make sure you have a beer or five close at hand.
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

Cheesy as hell and hilarious, just like I like them.
I will say that one issue with this film was the choice to make us empathize with the killer, which gave me the sense that this wasn't exactly a true slasher film.
Christmas themed slashers are sort of an anomaly and i've really tried to stay away from them, so other than Black Christmas (an absolute staple of course), this was the first one I'd really watched; which is probably for the best because, other than Christmas Evil, this is the one that set the stage for all of the ones that came after, and so doubtless probably one of the best. I have heard that Christmas Evil is a bit better, so i'm looking forward to viewing that one, but Silent Night, Deadly Night is still quite enjoyable as long as you know what you're in for- nothing but cheesy eighties sleaze.
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

The first thing I noticed when I switched this film on was Amy Steel from Friday the 13th Part II, so that immediately added a bit of a nostalgia factor the film right from the get-go. Of course, this being an 80's slasher flick, that wasn't the only thing nostalgic about the picture.
April Fool's Day was quite a pleasant surprise as I expected it to be more on the cheesy side and less on the thrills- don't get me wrong, this movie definitely had some cheese but it was also pretty well written and directed and there was a fair amount of tension.
The whole setting was very 'Agatha Christie', a name that's slyly dropped early on in the film, and reminded me of Bava's Four Dolls for an August Moon (a giallo film based on Christie Novel Ten Little Indians a.k.a. And Then There Were None), so that added even more of a nostalgic vibe to the film.
Although this film was very nicely carried out, the plot was very transparent, and every twist was telegraphed a mile ahead... other than the ending which was just silly. For me, this really wasn't a problem as I wasn't looking for a dense mystery. In fact, this probably only added to the to the expectations and sense of familiarity that one generally wants when turning on an 80's slash-n-stalk.

Just as a little side not so you can get an extra feel for the film, here's one of my favourite quotes.

Harvey: I know you think I'm a hick, but I'd like to change your mind about that if you give me a chance.

Hal: Why?

Harvey: Because I would really like to plow your field.
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

Amsterdamned is a wonderful late eighties artistic slasher film that suffers from a rather unfortunate title. Although it was made in the Netherlands, it has all the trappings and style of a giallo piece. Honestly if it weren't for the location and language I could have easily taken it for giallo.
Speaking of the location, excellent use is made of the canals, especially during one hectic chase scene- which although long, is never boring, and kept me absolutely riveted.
The canals and the city of Amsterdam also create a very palpable atmosphere which really brings the entire film up a notch. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the film Don't Look Now.
In addition are the meticulously decorated sets common to euro-horror and giallo.
Amsterdamned is a fun, tight, and thrilling horror film that can be enjoyed by fans of both giallo and american slashers alike.
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

A lot darker in tone than most 80's slashers, Scalps is very reminiscent of earlier horror films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes.
The storyline can be a bit confusing and it's extremely low budget in every sense of the word, but it's got tons of atmosphere, and the scenery shots are beautiful.
The low stock film just contributes to the atmosphere and gives it the feeling of a hidden gem. Would definitely recommend.
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

The best part about this movie is the awesome 80's, retro mall; and running a close second, the cheesy electro-synth soundtrack.
The plot device of the robots is just hilarious so right off the bat you know what you're in for. Sadly, this film cuts to the chase all too quickly and 2/3 of the film is just the characters trying to blow up the robots. It's alright, and probably better than a good chunk of 80's slashers out there, especially the later ones like this one is. All in all I think it's worth a watch if you've already watched most of the more popular/lauded ones out there and are itching for a cheesy slasher film.
"Thank you, have a nice day."
7 years 2 months ago
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nick121235

bland, bland, bland, bland.
7 years 3 months ago
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nick121235

my relationship
7 years 3 months ago
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nick121235

Referenced a lot of great films. Even Fulci's The Beyond.
7 years 3 months ago
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nick121235

awful fucking cgi and horrible story.
7 years 3 months ago
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nick121235

I preferred this one to the second as the humour was a bit more deadpan, as opposed to the sillier humour of the preceding film.
7 years 4 months ago
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nick121235

The first time I watched this film I did not like it, I found it horrible.
And I was absolutely right, but on this second viewing I was able to enjoy it quite a bit more. For some reason, even though I completely wrote it off, I found myself thinking about this cheesy flick several times and eventually decided to go ahead and give it a repeat viewing.
This film is absolute eighties slasher gold. Everything about it screams eighties from the haircuts to the colorful leotards to the hilarious soundtrack and cringey acting.
The dialogue is so bad it hurts and the delivery is worse. I still have yet to determine whether or not this film was intentionally bad or just a quick attempt at a cash-in on the slasher sub-genre... due to the 5 or 6 long work out sequences featuring nothing but scantily clad women I'm inclined to think the latter which only makes this so much better.
Probably better with a few drinks.
7 years 4 months ago
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nick121235

Due to the fact that it was on Netflix I happened to watch the 2013 remake of this film before this one and I'm glad I did, because at doesn't hold a candle to the original. Had I seen this one first, doubtless I would have been highly disappointed in the remake; but as it stands Patrick: Evil Awakens is a guilty pleasure and Patrick simply a pleasure.
First off, the dialogue is hilarious, in a tongue-in-cheek way, especially the much lauded 'hiring scene'. It seems like something straight out of a John Waters film.
The cinematography and sets are surprisingly decent for an Australian horror film and the hospital is in a gorgeous little mansion, the interior is reminiscent of the house in Psycho.
It can be a bit silly and/or tacky but I think this works in the film's favour. For the most part this film is a slow burn and I can't help but feel that the writer's and director's aspirations exceeded that which they had either the skill or budget to create.
Regardless it's enjoyable and one which i'll be watching over again, probably paired with Evil Awakens.
7 years 4 months ago
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nick121235

pretty fucking awful
7 years 4 months ago
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nick121235

I certainly understand the amount of negative reviews and overall attitude of disdain for this film.
Most Likely to Die really is a bad movie.
The plot is contrived and silly, replete with all of the slasher cliches.
The cinematography is adequate at best, the lighting is horrible.
The acting ranges from serviceable to downright laughable (don't get me started on Perez Hilton).
So why, despite all of these drawbacks, did I enjoy this film?
One word: nostalgia.
Most Likely to Die is a hardcore throwback to the cheesy slasher flicks of the 80's. Every single aspect of this film, other than the outfits and music, screams 80's slasher.
Even the plot is a direct reference to, if not a ripoff of, the 1986 horror film Slaughter High (also known as April Fool's Day).
Most Likely to Die is a direct descendant of these legendary films, much more so than most modern slashers that also recycle the usual tropes. It's really sort of a guilty pleasure.
If you're looking for anything other than a corny throwback, throw this one right out the window.
7 years 5 months ago
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nick121235

Lights Out started out on a strong note. In fact, this was probably the only movie I've watched this year that managed to scare me other than Sinister. Like Sinister however, it failed to maintain the horror factor throughout the entirety of the movie and began to become repetitive and tiresome somewhere around the middle of the film.
Unlike Sinister, it ended on a higher note.
Lights Out is probably one of the better horror releases this year with strong performances from most of the cast, especially the young Gabriel Bateman.
It did seem to rehash horror standards with some of the plot devices and also relied heavily on jump scares- which worked surprisingly well in this case.
Unfortunately, although it does make a stab at substance, it tends to come off a little cliche.
In summation, Lights Out is a very enjoyable horror movie, but probably not one you're gonna find yourself watching more than once.
7 years 5 months ago
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nick121235

Not as bad as I expected but still a step below The Ring Two. It had some nice surreal imagery and serviceable cinematography and it introduced some interesting new ideas but it failed to have a real backbone or theme behind it which The Ring movies have always had (at this point I can only judge on the american remakes as I have yet to see the Japanese).
The Ring had an overarching theme of the endlessness of suffering and how our ways of dealing with it and letting it out causes others to suffer unless they also engage in catharsis. It dealt with ideas of what it means to be a mother and a father.
The Ring Two expanded on the subject of motherhood, of self sacrifice, of abuse.
This one had a somewhat engaging plot but lacked a real backbone or substance. It only dealt with the surface ideas that previous Ring movies had already brought to the table and ended up reminding me of an episode of Goosebumps.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, and I really liked the new additions to the movie, especially the ouroboros imagery.
In summation you will probably enjoy this movie if you are a fan of Ring movies, but don't expect anything deep, or even new.
7 years 5 months ago

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