CURSE OF CHUCKY REVIEW

After her mother's mysterious death, Nica begins to suspect that the talking, red-haired doll her visiting niece has been playing with may be the key to recent bloodshed and chaos.

Starring: Fiona Dourif, Danielle Bisutti, Brennan Elliott, Chantal Quesnelle, Maitland McConnell, and Brad Dourif

Directed by: Don Mancini

Written by: Don Mancini

  Over the past few years many franchises have decided to go the remake route. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" did it, and epically failed in many horror fans eyes. "Friday the 13th" did it, and failed to impress. Then there is "Halloween,” which actually turned out pretty good. While those franchises decided to go the remake route, the “Child's Play” series said, “hell no!” So was that a wise decision?

  It's not a remake, but there are some similarities between this movie, and the first movie. Chucky ends up in the arms of a child, is out to kill everyone in his path, and still ultimately wants a way out of the doll. It's good to see him at it again producing some good kills. Of course, many of those deaths are accompanied by his typical wise cracks. It seems like there is a little rust with his first few lines, but they get better as the movie goes on.

  Besides the joy of seeing Chucky in action again, the best thing about this movie is the story. It gets right to the point with Chucky's arrival, and then he wastes little time getting to the killing. At first the audience might not know why Chucky is delivered to this family, but at the right time it's revealed. It adds another chapter in the past life of Charles Lee Ray. The movie further proves it’s not a remake soon after his reason for being there is revealed, as a few familiar faces make an appearance. Again, they are tied into the story nicely, and not just there to surprise the audience.

  Fiona Dourif, who plays Nica, gives a pretty strong performance in her lead role. Fiona does a good job playing innocent and scared, yet strong enough to fight off Chucky. Nica is confined to a wheelchair, which adds a different element to this story. She can’t easily escape Chucky, and has to deal with this challenge while trying to save those around her. The rest of the cast does a solid enough job not to derail this story.

  The decision to make another sequel, and not a remake turns out to be a good choice. It’s good to see Chucky in action again, and he produces some good kills. The acting is pretty good all around with a stand out performance from Fiona Dourif. The best thing about the movie is the story, which is strong from beginning to end. Speaking of the end be sure to watch the bonus scene in the ending credits. Since they actually did justice to the “Child’s Play” franchise, I give “Curse of Chucky” 3 pools of blood.

  HorrO

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2 REVIEW

Katie is trying to make it in the cutthroat world of modeling. When she innocently accepts an offer to have new photos taken for her portfolio, the experience quickly turns into an unthinkable nightmare of rape, torture, and kidnapping. When a twist of fate finally frees her from her captors - beaten, battered, bruised, and broken, she will have to tap into the darkest places of the human psyche to not only survive her ordeal, but to ultimately find the strength to exact her brutal revenge.

Starring: Jemma Dallender, Yavor Baharov, Joe Absolom, Aleksandar Aleksiev, and Mary Stockley

Directed by: Steven R. Monroe

Written by: Thomas Fenton and Neil Elman

  While the summary tells a new story, the same theme exists in “I Spit on Your Grave 2.” An innocent woman, Katie (Jemma Dallender) is taken advantage of, raped, and brutalized. Like its predecessors, watching the rape scene is tough. It's almost hard to believe a movie is based on such a terrible act, but it brings out the definition of horror.

  There is also plenty of horror when Katie luckily survives her terrible ordeal, and comes back to for revenge. She gets payback on each person involved in victimizing her. For women watching the rape, it must be especially tough. For guys watching, there is a scene where one of her captors gets tortured in a way no guy wants to see either. Besides that, there is only one other have decent torture, and death.

  The real problem for this movie is that while it's a sequel, it has nothing to do with the previous movie. It leaves the audience watching much of the same. There are no twist and turns. Probably the biggest difference between this movie and the others is that her captors aren't American. Not only that, but without explanation they magically take her out of the country.

  What audiences get in "I Spit on Your Grave 2" is a different story, but the same theme as the previous movies. There isn't much new except for an unexpected change of scenery. The rape and torture is still tough to watch. Katie's revenge is all right, but not better than any of the movies. Since nothing new is accomplished, I give this movie 2 pools of blood.

  HorrO

4 New American Horror Story Coven Posters!

Here are some new posters from American Horror Story Coven. Only a few more weeks until the premiere!!!

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 REVIEW

The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey, Lin Shayne, Ty Simpkins, and Steve Coulter

Directed by: James Wan

Written by: Leigh Whannell, and James Wan

  When the news hit, it was disappointing to hear that there would be a sequel to “Insidious.” It has its flaws, but is one of the scarier movies of the past few years. A sequel just didn’t feel necessary even with a few unanswered questions left at the end of it. However, when a horror movie makes money, a sequel is sure to follow (see you soon “The Conjuring 2”). So does “Insidious: Chapter 2” prove to be a worthy sequel?

  In a much-appreciated move, Chapter 2 picks up shortly after the events of chapter 1 instead of years later. Actually it begins with what appears to be a random flashback to when Josh (Patrick Wilson) is a child, but later becomes a pivotal scene in the movie. After the flashback, the audience sees the family just after they move into Josh’s mother’s home. It’s here that two of the biggest questions left at the end of the original set the tone for this sequel.

  The first one is who killed Elise (Lin Shaye)? That’s what the police want to know, and question Renai (Rose Byrne) about. The brief police investigation at the beginning seems to be a waste of screen time. Of course they point the finger at Josh, which leads to the other question. Is it really Josh who came back from the Further?

  Besides the useless police investigation, the two awkward Ghostbuster wannabes from chapter 1 return to answer these questions with the help of Elise’s friend Carl (Steve Coulter). Their attempt at answering these questions takes them to an abandoned hospital and house, which set up scare opportunities. The bar for the scares is set high after the terrific scares through the first half of chapter 1. To no surprise, they don’t measure up. Yes, there are some decent ones, but nothing tops what’s accomplished in chapter 1. However, chapter 2 certainly maintains the same level of tension, and creepiness.

  Renai is a target of some of the best scares in chapter 1, and is a big target again. Anytime she’s alone the ghost seems to take the opportunity to strike fear in her. The fault with some of the scares on her is that they remind the audience of “Paranormal Activity.” One of the better scares actually occurs in the presence of Dalton (Ty Simpkins), who actually spends some time awake this time around.

  Probably the best thing about chapter 2 is the story. As it goes on, it might leave audiences wondering where it’s headed. However, once all of the pieces are revealed, it becomes one nicely constructed puzzle. They do a good job of tying in parts of chapter 1 right into this story. Also, as mentioned before, they do an excellent job of bringing importance to an opening scene that appears as if it’s only there to try to scare the audience. The only thing that might have been missing is a chance to dig deeper into what the Further is all about. As expected, there is a return to the Further, but nothing really new is learned about it.

 In the end, “Insidious: Chapter 2” does just enough to prove it’s a worthy sequel. Most of that is due to how well the story is constructed around the events of chapter 1. It’s not surprising that the scares didn’t match chapter 1, but the tension and creepiness is still present. The actors seem more comfortable with their characters this time around, so they should be ready for chapter 3. Yes, it will be a trilogy. I give “Insidious: Chapter 2” 3 pools of blood.

  HorrO

The Walking Dead Season 4 "Found It's Way In" Teaser

Check out another teaser for Season 4…

Season 4 premieres Oct 13^th. Just a little over a month from now!!!

THE LORDS OF SALEM REVIEW

Heidi, a radio DJ, is sent a box containing a record – a “gift from the Lords.” The sounds within the grooves trigger flashbacks of her town’s violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the Lords back to take revenge on Salem, Massachusetts?

Starring: Sheri Moon Zombie, Meg Foster, Francis Matthias, Jeff Daniel Phillips, and Ken Foree

Directed by: Rob Zombie

Written by: Rob Zombie

  Oh Lord, what have you done now Rob Zombie? Insane, crazy, wild, nuts, bizarre are just a few words to describe some of the scenes he comes up with in “The Lords of Salem.” Those words can sometimes add up to a good horror movie, as with “House of 1000 Corpses.” However, do they add up to the same thing with “The Lords of Salem?”

  This is one of those movies that seems like it’s split it two. One part is Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie) in here regular life as a DJ. The scenes with her, and her fellow Djs are actually pretty entertaining. When not at the radio station, she’s usually at her apartment building. There the audience gets to see her spend some time with one of her co-hosts/boyfriend, and her usually neighbors.

  That is where the second part of this movie and the wildness comes in. It’s a series of insane daydreams that Heidi has, along with a few random flashbacks. The dreams bring out the true horror in this movie. Think of them like the crazy dreams in Zombie’s “Halloween 2” except with crazy witches. Sometimes it's Heidi embracing the witch in her, and other times there are flashbacks to the old Salem witches. Of course the witches aren’t doing charity work. Often they are dancing, laughing, and carrying on while being naked. Oh and there is some blood involved too!

  The movie doesn't accomplish much besides watching Heidi battle embracing the witch inside her. Once that battle is over so is the movie. The movie ends with an explanation of what happens next, which makes the movie seem a little pointless. That is besides showing as the crazy dream sequences that Rob Zombie can possibly come up with.

  While it might seem pointless, the movie is still well shot. Some horror fans will really enjoy the craziness, and bloodiness of the dreams. Sherri Moon Zombie does a surprisingly good job as Heidi. However, while the audience can see the reason why the witches go through all, the pointlessness of it all is too much to overcome. With that, I give “The Lords of Salem” 2 pools of blood.

  HorrO 

New Poster for American Horror Story Coven and The Walking Dead!

Here are new posters for two of the most anticipated horror shows of the fall season…

I can’t wait! Can you?

The Originals and The Vampire Diaries Promo Videos