Movies I Have Seen

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Blood Feast (1963)

[William Kerwin, Mal Arnold, Connie Mason]

I really cannot say anything positive about this film, other than the fact that it is considered the first movie in the horror sub-genre of Gore films. But, that said, this movie is a piece of crap!

There is a plot, albeit a thin one. A man goes on a killing spree, to re-enact a feast for an Egyptian goddess. He uses a catering job for a teenager's party as part of his plan. Yeah.

Ugh. The direction is inane. The acting is horrible. The music is overbearing and freaking annoying at times. Just one big UGH! I couldn't wait for this to end. The only way to watch a movie like this without wanting to scream is with the well-deserved mocking of the MST3K crew. They were sorely missed.

Will NOT watch this again, and you can't make me!

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Children of Men (2006)

[Clive Owen, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Michael Caine]

I had heard great things about this film, and they were all true. It's an amazing movie.

In the not-too-distant future humans have lost the ability to conceive. There are no children, and humanity is falling into chaos. But something happens that may bring hope to the world.

Clive Owen really shines in his role as the reluctant hero, and Michael Caine is just one of many great supporting actors here. I really liked Clare-Hope Ashitey, she brought so much to her role: humor, pain, fear, hope. Just a great movie.

Would definitely watch it again.

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The Ferryman (2007)

[John Rhys-Davies, Amber Sainsbury, Sally Stockwell]

I assumed this movie was a SciFi Channel type, C-grade "horror" film. But, I was wrong.

This is an Australian movie about six people on a charter boat off the coast of Australia. When they hear a distress call, they rescue a man from disabled ship. But he is not what he appears to be.

Don't want to say too much, or I'd give away the main plot here. But I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Definitely a horror film, this was well made and had a decent cast.

I liked it and would watch it again some time.

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Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)

[Connie Mason, William Kerwin, Jeffrey Allen]

This was directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, the same director as "Blood Feast". This film is actually an improvement over that earlier film, but that's not saying much.

Some Yankee travellers are detoured to a small Southern town which is in the midst of it's Centennial celebration. Soon, the visitors learn that the townsfolk have a very strange idea of what constitutes celebrating.

The acting is better than in "Blood Feast", again - not saying too much. The scenes are horribly paced and the music... GAH! The music, as in the previous film, was annoying at times. Couldn't wait for this to end, cult film or not.

I just didn't like it and wouldn't watch it again.

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Quarantine (2008)

[Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez]

Okay, I have yet to see [REC], the movie that this film is a remake of. But I thought this movie was great, definitely a thrill ride.

A reporter and her cameraman tag-along with a fire department on a call. Upon arriving at the apartment building, they find bewildered residents and a seemingly ill and confused older woman. Things go from bad to much, much worse in a short amount of time.

The whole movie is shot from the cameraman's point of view, so it can be jumpy. But it works to add to the confusion that the people are themselves feeling and dealing with. Scary, frightening, unsettling, creepy. All great attributes for a horror movie to have, and this one has them all.

Definitely recommended for horror fans!

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Sleuth (2007)

[Michael Caine, Jude Law]

This is a remake of the 1972 film "Sleuth", which starred Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. Here, Caine has the Olivier role and Law has Caine's old role. Kenneth Branagh directed.

Basically, Wyke, a rich author, invites Tindle, his wife's young lover, to his estate to discuss their situation. Wyke claims to have a plan to help them both get what they want. But soon, both men are playing games.

I saw the original film for the first time last year and really liked it. This movie is good, but I think, having seen the previous film, I came into it with too much knowledge. I bet it would be a better film for someone who had no idea what the plot was or where it was headed.

I just think it tried too hard in some places to be different. Definitely prefer the original.

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30 Days of Night (2007)

[Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Ben Foster, Mark Rendall]

I have never read the graphic novel this movie is based upon, so I went in with no expectations. And I enjoyed it, it is a good horror movie, if not really very frightening.

The northernmost town in the U.S., way up in Alaska, prepares for the beginning of a month of darkness. But, they have some very unwelcome visitors this year, and no one may live to see the next sunrise.

Acting was good, the "bad guys" sufficiently odd, creepy and violent. Hartnett seemed a bit young to be the sheriff of such a desolate, harsh place, but that is just minor nit-picking.

Nothing really scared me, bit it was an enjoyable movie with a good premise.

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