Official Blog of...

Official Blog of...

Friday, February 27, 2015

SALEM: SEASON 2 POSTERS


Check out some posters for season 2 of Salem…





Who’s ready for season 2?

Saturday, February 21, 2015

WOLFCOP REVIEW




It's not unusual for alcoholic cop Lou Garou to black out and wake up in unfamiliar surroundings, but lately things have taken a strange turn. Crime scenes seem oddly familiar. Lou's senses are heightened, and when the full moon is out, he's a rage-fueled werewolf. WOLFCOP is one cop's quest to become a better man...one transformation at a time!

Starring: Leo Fafard, Amy Matysio, Sarah Lind, Jonathan Cherry, Jesse Moss, Aidan Devine, and Corrine Conley

Written and directed by: Lowell Dean

  What do you get when you cross a werewolf and a cop... a pretty good freaking movie! As one might expect, crossing a wolf and a cop must mean this is a comedy-horror with probably more comedy than horror. Well "WolfCop" actually is a really well-balanced movie. The beginning is kind of serious with funny lines sprinkled in as the audience is introduced to Lou (Leo Fafard). Being an alcoholic, the movie opens in one of those moments that many might imagine happens for an alcoholic. The true comedy in the opening moments is learning about LIQUOR DONUTS!!! That's right... LIQUOR DONUTS!
  The movie moves forward in some more serious moments introducing some of the other characters, and establishing what's going on in this small town. Then it gets real serious when Lou goes through his first two major transformations into a werewolf. The first one is particularly unique, as it starts from an interesting region of the body. The second one is a little different, and hits more on the pain of what Lou is going through. Both are well done from the acting to the special effects.
  Now back to the comedy part. Once Lou embraces the wolf, he also embraces the cop that he isn't in his normal life. WolfCop is all about getting the bad guys. He goes on quite a little adventure with whom the audience might call a sidekick, Willie (Jonathan Cherry). While the time the two spend together is brief, WolfCop and Willie are a hilarious duo, as Willie provides plenty of play-by-play of WolfCop taking out the bad guys. Besides Willie, WolfCop also gets something many superheroes get providing yet another fun moment.
  Speaking of superheroes and what they get, they also get the woman! WolfCop even has a special admirer. Soon enough that admirer and him get hot and heavy. Seeing a wolf get intimate certainly creates one of several memorable moments.
  As mentioned, the movie gives the audience serious, fun, and even intimate moments. It also has plenty of action, and horror. Besides the transformation scenes, there are many moments of gore, as WolfCop tears through bad guys. The special effects are solid, and create a lot of blood and gore. Of course one or two of those moments might also come with some comedy. The movie ends with a great action scene involving several good fights, and deaths.
  What's also impressive about "WolfCop" is how well writer/director Lowell Dean unfolds the story. There's something going on in the town, and it appears to be well hidden until it’s time for the big reveal. However, if the audience wants to have some real fun, watch the movie a second time, and look for the clues to what's happening. Not only does Lowell do a good job, but so does the cast. The acting is solid starting with Leo Fafard, and moving down the line to actors/actresses Jonathan Cherry, Amy Matysio, Sarah Lind, and Aidan Devine.
  "WolfCop" is a well-balanced movie that has a little of everything to offer its audience. There are both serious and funny moments mixed in with plenty of horror, and action. There are definitely several memorable moments as well. All of these things come together in a great story supported by some good acting. With that, and the fact that "WolfCop" introduced me to LIQUOR DONUTS, I give it 3.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

BATES MOTEL SEASON 3



Check out this exciting trailer for season 3…



Can we start the show already?

Friday, February 13, 2015

CHATTER REVIEW



While monitoring Internet traffic for the Department of Homeland Security, Agent Martin Takagi comes across the intimate video chats of a couple, temporarily living in different parts of the world, who begin to discover their new home is haunted.

Starring: Brady Smith, Sarena Khan, Tohoru Masamune, Laura Niles, and Sadie Ella Solomon

Written and directed by: Matthew Solomon

  Horror fans often complain that they can't find anything original to watch. Some fans even complain about the parade of found footage films over the past few years. Well what if I told you that there is a film that is shot almost entirely through Skype. Yes, that's right... Skype. Something original, and certainly different! You might have some concerns about that, but I'm here to tell you not to worry about it.
  "Chatter" follows David (Brady Smith) and Laura (Sarena Khan), who are a couple trying to stay in touch while being miles apart. David is trying to settle into their new house, while Laura is away on business. They start off doing the typical things couples might do on Skype like filling each other in on their daily activities, work, and even squeeze in some personal romantic time.
 Then the fun begins when David starts hearing what he thinks is a child while trying to sleep. This starts a chain of strange events that occur over the course of days. The drama builds as he shares his concerns with Laura, and his best friend. The audience might think that Skype would limit this story, but it doesn’t. There is plenty of back-story that is revealed in conversions, and it brings more attention to why they are being haunted.
  Then there’s the added dimension of Agent Martin Takagi (Tohoru Masamune) watching everything unfold. He plays almost like another audience member except that he’s really in the film. While he watches the couple and sees everything that is happening, the audience watches anxiously to see if he will help the couple as things go from bad to worse.
  As for scares, it’s a little hard to produce some jump scares because of the limits of the Skype screens. However, they do an excellent job of creating some creepy scenes. There's always a chance for a figure to appear in the background, or an object to start moving. The tension definitely builds to an unexpected, and exciting ending. And just when the audience thinks it’s all over, stay tuned for a bonus scene after the ending credits!
  A few years ago I had the privilege of reviewing an excellent short film shot through Skype titled "Anna" by Matthew Solomon. As good as that was, Matthew topped it with this full feature version “Chatter.” The audience should have no worries that the movie is shot primarily through Skype, as that makes the movie watching experience new, and original. There’s a good story filled with many creepy moments. The built up tension will have the audience worried about the fate of the couple, and if the agent will ever come to their aid.

  HorrO

Monday, February 9, 2015

WHITE ZOMBIE (2014) REVIEW



Beautiful socialite Madeline White travels to the Old World to be reunited with her fiancée, Neil Bellamy, with plans to marry. However, on her voyage to the island, she meets wealthy plantation owner Gilles Beaumonde who secretly falls in love with her. Upon her arrival, Neil and Madeline seal their plans to marry unaware that Beaumonde already has his own intentions for Madeline. Beaumonde enlists the help of evil voodoo master Severin Devereaux who commands a crew of zombies with nefarious plans of his own. Although this remake adheres to many elements of the 1932 classic, it also differs greatly in its fantasy steam punk approach. This "White Zombie" includes new characters that flesh out the idea of voodoo as a key element of zombie-lore. In addition to characters carried over from the original are Baron Samedi (the "loa" or guardian of cemeteries,) guede (death spirits,) voodoo witches (reminiscent of those in Shakespeare's "Macbeth") and powerful voodoo priestess Mambo Brigitte...

Starring: Scarlet Sheppard, Isaac Eastwood, and Joey Madia

Directed by: Arthur Leo Collins

Written by: Susan Sheppard

  Without getting into comparisons to the classic "White Zombie," lets talk about what this version of "White Zombie" does well. The first thing that stands out, and holds true throughout is keeping a great setting. It provides a great background for a story involving voodoo. It's dark, mysterious, and even though this isn't a jump scare kind of movie, it always has the audience wondering what's lurking in the background. 
  To go with the setting is the terrific costume design. The characters look great, and fit time period they create perfectly. Madeline (Scarlet Sheppard) is stunning, and she shows why she has three men after her. Beaumonde (Joey Madia) and Devereaux (Eric Vasbinder) are dressed perfectly to be the sly, and smooth bad guys they are.
  Now the most important part...the story. It starts off trying to get to audience on the couple's side, as they prepare to get married. As the couple prepares, Beaumonde and Devereaux reveal their own plans for Madeline. What makes this story a little different is that there's one bad guy trying to out do another bad guy. Beaumonde thinks Devereaux is working for him, but that’s not the case. On top of that, there's another character that the audience might think is a bad guy, but actually turns out to be pretty helpful. It's not as confusing as it sounds, but keeps the story interesting.
  And now for the only real draw back. As the story unfolds there are certain moments where the actors/actresses need to drive home the point, and they struggle to do that. They don't do a bad job, but just need to bring out their characters' emotions a little more. That would get the audience fully involved with the story, the emotional swings, and firmly rooting for the couple.
  “White Zombie” starts off in a dark setting that sets a great mood for the rest of the movie. The terrific costume designs add to that setting, as it puts the audience completely in that world. The audience gets not one, but two very interesting bad guys, and plenty of suspense as Madeline’s life hangs in the balance. The only set back for this movie is the acting, but it’s not enough to detour anyone from seeing it.

  HorrO

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...