Halloween (1978)

Date Of Release: 25^th October 1978

Director: John Carpenter

Producer: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kool Lusby, Irwin Yabians, Moustapha Akkad

Starring: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J Soles, Nancy Loomis

Running Time: 91 minutes (original theatrical version) 103 minutes (extended edition)

Distributor: Compass International Pictures

Review
 

This film is the first in what turned into the Halloween franchise. For what was a small budget film, it turned into one of the most profitable independent films ever made. It was the first in a long line of slasher films and went on to influence future horror.
The film is about a young boy called Michael Myers, who on Halloween night kills his older sister. 15 years later, he escapes the psychiatric hospital and returns home, stalking Laurie Strode and her friends. His psychiatrist, Dr Loomis, follows him to try and prevent him from killing. I remember watching this as a kid, and even though it doesn’t scare me the way it used to, I still love to watch it, especially on Halloween.

 

The first thing you notice straight away is the infamous intro music, which John Carpenter randomly came up with on the piano himself. It is chilling and memorable. Considering the era in which it was shot and the budget they had, it is very well made. No special effects here, the movie has a very realistic feel and the characters are very believable. The antagonists’ weapon is a kitchen knife, which if used in films these days, it would be deemed as boring, but for this film it is perfect. Simplicity is what this film is about. It has all the right scares in the right place without going over the top. It has a few iconic moments such as a young Michael standing in the front yard after having killed his sister, but the one that I always remembered most was the part were Laurie was hiding in the wardrobe and, after thinking she was safe, Michael comes bursting through the doors. The film is predominantly dark (then again, what did you expect??). The plot runs smoothly and the story gets straight to the point. The image of Michael will always stay with you too, this brooding tall man wearing a creepy, expressionless mask (which was actually a William Shatner mask painted white!).

No one ever thought that this film would be that much of a success but 34 years later it is still one of the most influential and most popular horror movies out there. Ask any director and any actor and they will tell you the same thing. This is a horror essential and essentially a masterpiece!

 

Rating: 10/10 – Hallo! Where have you ween all my life??

 



 

Underworld

 

 

Date Of Release: 19^th September 2003

Director: Len Wiseman

Producer: Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Richard Wright

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Shane Brolly, Erwin Leder

Running Time: 121 minutes (133 for the extended cut)

Distributor: Screen Gems

 

 

Review

This film came out when I was 16 and I was heavily into vampires back then. I loved this film then and I still love it now 9 years on. The vampire film had been done to death. What else could they possibly do with the genre? Then this film came out. The story is about the on-going secret battle between the vampires and the lycans (werewolves). It is a story of wrong doing, betrayal and a battle of survival.

When the film came out there were mixed feelings, mainly negative ones. Some liked it and some didn’t. Those who didn’t like it felt it was just another vampire story, and essentially, that is what it is, but it has a bit more than that. The film is very fast paced and has a consistent plot. The atmosphere of the film is very dark and modern, a lot of dark black and blue hues used. Even the clothing everyone wears is predominantly black (to make them appear more “gothic” maybe?). The vampires themselves don’t look like your stereotypical vampires. They don’t all have pale skin and protruding fangs, they actually look slightly normal, apart from the elders but that’s to be expected I suppose. Some of them have bright blue eyes but that’s as far as it goes. The Lycans transformation is also pretty cool. Again, they aren’t your stereotypical wolf. When they are not transformed they are pretty normal.

 

 

 

The best scene would have to be the one where the guy who is a mix breed of both, transforms. I like how they managed to put the 2 species together. All of the fight scenes really hold their own too, with the actors doing most of their own stunts. The only thing that I would have really liked to see would be more back story to the characters (although, films 2 and 3 do this finally). This film has a slight teen angst to it and I think that is why I, and others, loved it so much. Some may find it a bit flimsy but essentially it is a very good film in the vampire series.

 

Rating: 8/10 – Under the world and far away….all the vampires come to prey!! (on those that haven’t bought this anyway….)

 

 



 

 



 





Dark Water (2002)

Date Of Release: 19^th January 2002

Director: Hideo Nakata

Producer: Taka Ichise

Starring: Hitomi Kuroki, Rio Kanno, Mirei Oguchi, Fumiyo Kominata

Running Time: 101 minutes

Distributor: Tomo Company LTD
 

Review
 

This is a drama horror from the director of RING and RING 2. It was based on a short story written by Koji Susuki called “Floating water”. It is quite a simple plot line, a divorce and her young child move into a new apartment to start a new life for themselves. After a while, weird damp spots start appearing on the ceiling. As she investigates further, she unfolds a sad tale that will affect their lives.

This is another brilliant Asian horror; the simplicity of the film almost makes you forget that it is actually a horror. There are no over the top CGI effects or over acting. Everything is as simple as it can get (think of how the original ring looked). There is also not a lot of music used, which you think would not set the atmosphere but it actually works. They are only used at the pivotal scenes. the overall look of this film is quite dark with highlighting to show off the “nicer” parts of the story.

 

I love the look of the main antagonist in the film. Again, she is not overdone by special effects or doing the whole “little girl with the long hair in face” thing. She is simply a spirit, known by her yellow rain coat. She is not intentionally evil, just driven by a desire to not be lonely. That is what really drives this film, essentially the lack and longing of a mothers love and sacrifice. The best scene of the film being the last one (don’t worry, I won’t give it away!). There aren’t too many great scenes but the film runs together pretty smoothly to not really need one.

Not the scariest film you will ever come across but it does have a slight chill factor to it. It is just a simple, straight forward tale that will leave an imprint on you. Some may find it a tad boring but if you are a big fan of the Asian horror genre then you will love this.

 

Rating: 8/10 – This film will certainly not leave you in (dark) water!

 

 



Dawn Of The Living Dead

Date Of Release: 3^rd November 2004 (USA) 30^th May 2005 (UK)
 

Director: David Heavener

Producer: David Heavener

Starring: David Heavener, Amanda Baumann, Joe Estevez, Todd Bridges

Running Time: 90 minutes

Distributor: Acteurs Auteurs Associes (AAA)

Review
 

The film is basically about a former junkie who, whilst still dealing with psychological issues, moves to the Mexican border with her fiancé (who is also her doctor). They then befriend a local caretaker. The place then becomes under siege by ancient Mayan zombies, who we find out, were killed by the caretaker. The orphan connects to the woman who helps solve their murders and a way to lay them to rest.

There are 2 things to point out, 1 – I bought this solely because I thought it was something to do with the George Romero series (which it isn’t) and 2 – I only gave away the plot line so as to save you from watching it yourself.

 

 

This film is truly awful, that includes everything from the acting right down to the effects. The plot could have worked but the script was completely slaughtered. I don’t even know where to start. There was no chemistry between the cast, there didn’t seem to be much direction and I reckon a big part of the budget went towards the sun effect at the end. There isn’t even a good scene that can do it any justice, it is just appalling from start to finish.

I wouldn’t even recommend this for zombie lovers. I love crappy B movies more than the next person but even I could bear this film no longer. This film is a big NO!!

 

Rating: 2/10 – Dawn of the I wouldn’t even bother…