What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[Frankie Teardrop]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

I know what you mean. I watch a film and think 'What is this shit?' and Frankie paints a picture of it like it should hang in the Tate with all the other masterpieces.

I like anything that doesn't bore me. I can often find things to like about really badly made stuff, but I don't think I've ever given a positive review to a film which I've found mediocre.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Frankie Teardrop

I like anything that doesn't bore me. I can often find things to like about really badly made stuff, but I don't think I've ever given a positive review to a film which I've found mediocre.

For the record i love ZFE2 and films of that ilk. I'm even growing fond of Zombie 5 Killing Birds.

[J Harker]

Originally Posted by Frankie Teardrop

Well, anything with a kid who starts rapping is still a pretty hard sell in my experience...

Little bastards!!!!! I actually thought The Visit would have been ok if it weren't for the little rapping shutfungus.

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

I know what you mean. I watch a film and think 'What is this shit?' and Frankie paints a picture of it like it should hang in the Tate with all the other masterpieces.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

For the record i love ZFE2 and films of that ilk. I'm even growing fond of Zombie 5 Killing Birds.

I'm even getting a hankering to watch those two final Mattei zombie films again.

[MacBlayne]

Originally Posted by Cinematic Shocks

Halloween (1978) [Extended TV Cut]

****1/2 out of *****

How do you find the extended cut in comparison to the theatrical?

[trebor8273]

The Avengers. 7.5/10

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Pay the Ghost (2015)

From IMDB -

One year after Mike Lawford's young son disappeared during a Halloween carnival, he is haunted by eerie images and terrifying messages he can't explain. Together with his estranged wife, he will stop at nothing to unravel the mystery and find their son-and, in doing so, he unearths a legend that refuses to remain buried in the past.

Nicolas Cage, as with Johnny Depp, is one of those actors who seem to divide cult fans down the middle. He's either loved or basically disliked. As for myself i think on the whole he's excellent, in fact two of his movies - Con Air and Leaving Las Vegas - i rate very highly indeed.

Cage's main problem is he can go over the top with his histrionics however he reels it all in for Pay the Ghost and is rather subdued. The film as a whole is rather subdued. It's a slow burner and the first half hour is all in the acting hands of Cage and co-star Sarah Wayne Callies whom i expect many of you know from The Walking Dead. Playing out as a mystery about missing children it then takes a left turn at the half way point as elements of the supernatural and the Celtic festival of Samhain begin to take precedence, which made the film a more interesting proposition.

Thankfully Pay the Ghost isn't the usual FX fest riddled with musical jump scares, the CGI is kept to a minimum and really only comes in towards the end but it brings a nightmare scenario to life rather than anything else.

I enjoyed Pay the Ghost, it held my attention throughout and the Halloween mythology ensured it will get many more viewings over forthcoming October horrorfests.

[Frankie Teardrop]

DRIVE IN MASSACRE – Some murders are happening down at the drive in. Who is the culprit? Could it be the drive in's slimy owner, who resembles Anton LaVey in a car coat? Could it be the janitor with the weird hat? How about the man who lives in a room made of porn? Things are getting serious, so two rubbish detectives are drafted in. They go around talking to each other, and to others. Erm, that's it, really. 'Drive In Massacre' pretty much redefines 'ropey' for those looking for exploitation era greasiness. Now, as far as bad movie status goes, it's not in the video supermax under armed guard, unlike, say, 'A Night to Dismember'. It doesn't totally violate every cinematic expectation. It is, however, very creaky and quite woefully put together. Aside from a couple of gory killings near the beginning, not a whole lot happens in the horror stakes, so I don't imagine the casual viewer's interest will be held. Those with an eye for weirdo eccentricities will find enough to keep themselves occupied, however. From the 'electronic' soundtrack, done on a shit keyboard but still somehow managing to sound like something by Suicide at points, to the badly edited shots of ugly people shouting and partially forgetting their lines to the revelation that the already arbitrary seeming 'climax' is a complete red herring, 'Drive In Massacre' won't really disappoint those in search of nuggets of shite. Admittedly, that's not everyone. Journalistic caution means that I can only recommend 'Drive In Massacre' to myself with a clear conscience. 88 Films have at least given me and fellow sufferers an excuse to retire the old Vipco edition with their excellent blu-ray, which thankfully accentuates the visual rot at the heart of this film.

[Cinematic Shocks]

Bad Moms (2016)

*** out of *****

Prince of Darkness (1987)

***1/2 out of *****

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Devil's Woods (2015)

A group of four friends trying to repair their strained relationships decide to spend the weekend camping at a music festival. En route they stop off at a small town in the middle of rural Ireland and then find a nearby spot in the woods in which to camp en'route to the festival.

In a way there's nothing new to see in this ultra low budget Irish horror, however i really enjoyed it. Director Anthony White basically seems to have a camera and a cast of four for much of this film yet it works really well. It helps that the friends all come over as likable and the dialogue totally natural and at times really funny whilst never feeling forced or scripted, and a pace that allows the characters to build and not seem so throw away as is the case with many of these films. Much credit must go to actors Stephen Cromwell, Danielle Keaney, Daniel Mahony and Caoimhe Cassidy, who with a bit of luck will go on to greater things in the future.

There's an air of unease which develops as the films slender 70 minutes gather pace, idle chatter which could have been awful actually feels invigorating thanks to White's innovative camera work and an ambient soundtrack from a band called Stillroom which is lovely and sinister.

Of course a horror film can't be about four friends who go camping and all come home happy ever after. From the off there are hints at what is to come with Occult themes and symbolism throughout and even a few homages to films like The Wicker Man and The Blair Witch Project. However i won't spoil anything here.

I'm sure some will hate The Devil's Woods but i thought it a terrific example of no-budget horror and an ideal Halloween viewing.