YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER REVIEW

 

In a North Dublin housing estate Char’s mother goes missing. When she returns Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family.

Starring: Hazel Doupe, Carolyn Bracken, and Paul Reid

Directed and written by: Kate Dolan 

  “You Are Not My Mother” or deserve to be one leaving a baby carriage in the middle of nowhere. The film opens with a baby being wheeled away by a woman into the forest, and laid down on the ground. Moments later a fire is set around the baby for some unknown reason. The only thing for certain is that this isn’t what a mother does!

  From baby to teenager, times aren’t getting much better Char (Hazel Doupe). She lives with her mother Angela (Carolyn Bracken) and grandmother (Ingrid Craigie), but might be the only adult in the home. Angela isn’t much help to her daughter, and then disappears for a few days. She was distant before, but has now come back with a new strangeness to her. One that Char will have to figure out on top of all her other problems.

  Before getting to the terror fans are looking for Char’s life struggles are going to be in the forefront. Obviously it’s tough at home for her with her mom not doing much, and grandmother unable to. It doesn’t get easier when Angela disappears and comes back more odd than ever. Then Char has to go to school where she has more enemies than friends. The audience will get to experience some of the bullying she goes through until she can finally make a friend. A friend who might be able to help her before it’s too late.

  Too late because the horrors of her present life and mysterious past are about to come head-to-head. The focus is a lot on her present life, and that almost gets her killed. However, she can’t die before some family secrets have their opportunity to finish her off. More specifically, she will finally have to face her mother, and whatever has gone wrong with her. It’s certainly an end fitting with how this film begins!

  "You Are Not My Mother" opens in gloom and doom for a baby, and that feeling never goes away. There aren't many happy things that will happen for Char. There's disfunction at home, and no relief at school. Before the reason for her mother's brief disappearance gets the attention it deserves, the audience will see what she goes through being a little different than others. The focus will be on bullying, and friendship before her family's hauntings secrets come for her. With that, I give it 3 pools of blood, and am glad she's not my mother!

 

  HorrO

More about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2022/03/09/you-are-not-my-mother-in-theaters-and-on-demand-march-25/

LOCKE & KEY SEASON 2 REVIEW

 

After their father is murdered under mysterious circumstances, the three Locke siblings and their mother move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, which they discover is full of magical keys that may be connected to their father’s death.

Starring: Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, and Jackson Robert Scott

Directed by: Mark Tonderai and more

Written by: Meredith Averill and more

Check out the video below and find out how many pools of blood it received...

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022) REVIEW

 

After nearly 50 of hiding, Leatherface returns to terrorize a group of idealistic young friends who accidentally disrupt his carefully shielded world in a remote Texas town.

Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elise Fisher, and Mark Burnham

Directed by: David Blue Garcia

Written by: Chris Thomas Devlin, Fede Alvarez, and Rodo Sayaues

Check out the video below and find out how many pools of blood it received...

IN SEARCH OF TOMORROW REVIEW

 

The long-form documentary about ‘80s sci-fi movies from CREATORVC executive produced by Robin Block and written/directed by David Weiner (In Search of Darkness Parts I & II) looks back on the extensive, beloved era of genre film. In Search of Tomorrow is a five-hour love letter to ‘80s Sci-Fi cinema; a nostalgic exploration of the impact and relevance of these beloved film classics, guided by the iconic artists who made them and by those who were inspired by their futuristic visions, featuring more than 70+ celebrity, artist, and expert interviews as it dives into all things science fiction in film.

Starring: Ivan Reitman, Clancy Brown, and Billy Dee Williams

Directed and written by: David Weiner

  “In Search of Tomorrow” actually takes fans back to sci-fi movies of the ‘80s, and how they shaped tomorrow. For horror fans, there is no journey through ‘80s horror like the two “In Search of Darkness” documentaries. Hours and hours of interviews, and conversations about all the great horror movies fans grew up loving. Now those fans along with sci-fi fans get a chance to journey through the many sci-fi movies they grew up on as well.

  This documentary is set up much like the previous documentaries focusing on some of the biggest sci-fi movies of the ‘80s like “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Aliens,” “Back to the Future,” “Robocop,” and “The Road Warrior.” It may also sneak in some titles fans missed depending on how big of a sci-fi fan you are. It talks about how these films introduced technology we have today, exploration of space, and how these films welcomed roles of different sexes and colors. To top it off, it includes so many great interviews and insights from the likes of Billy Dee Williams, Jesse Ventura, Alex Winter, Clancy Brown, and many more.

  As you might expect I’m a bigger horror fan then sci-fi fan, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy many of the films mentioned here. “Star Wars” is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I definitely enjoyed the look and conversation about the series. It was great to learn more about some of the special effects that went into making it. I often forget Drew Barrymore was in “E.T.,” and they have a great story about her interaction with E.T. when they weren’t shooting. It’s just one of so many wonderful behind the scene stories.

  Besides the stories, one of the most interesting things about watching this is seeing how technology was presented in the ‘80s, and has become a reality today. Fans get a quick look at some of the technology in these films, and then realize how they are using it today. Things like smart watches, self driving cars, and turning on and off items by command. I’m still waiting for my hover skateboard like in “Back to the Future.” And then there is the reminder that robots are more and more a reality, and likely our impending doom (wink wink “Terminator).

  “In the Search of Tomorrow” is a must see for sci-fi fans, or just even fans of ‘80s movies. It covers all kinds sci-fi films from space travel to imaginary worlds, blockbuster franchises to lesser known titles, and from aliens to robots. There’s nothing like learning something new about a film you love, and this documentary has so many great looks and interviews going behind the scenes. Yes, it’s five hours long, but if you’re in for revisiting the past this is the way to go!  

  HorrO

More information at:  www.80sscifidoc.com

http://promotehorror.com/2022/02/24/ultimate-80s-sci-fi-superdoc-in-search-of-tomorrow-now-available-for-pre-order-through-mar-27th/

THE SEED REVIEW

 

What starts out as girls weekend away in the Mojave desert becomes a tale of horror, death, and alien invasion.

Starring: Lucy Martin, Chelsea Edge, and Sophie Vavasseur

Directed and written by: Sam Walker

  “The Seed” isn’t planted in the ground, but more like falls out of the sky. Yes, it looks like some alien has landed in the backyard to spoil the weekend fun for Diedre (Lucy Martin), Heather (Sophie Vavasseur), and Charlotte (Chelsea Edge). Diedre and Heather are looking forward to some relaxation, maybe some drugs and drinking, and definitely as many social media pictures as they can take. Charlotte is pretty much the opposite of them, and plays the moral compass of the group. 

  The weekend starts with the girls watching a meteor shower, and seeing something take a dive into the pool. They have no clue what it is, or what to do with it. They try to make the most of the weekend working around it until some strange things start happening. By the time they get a hint that it maybe an alien it might be too late to save the weekend and themselves.

  The first half of the movie plays with the fact that at least two of these girls have no interest in the alien, and just want it gone. They’re more upset that their phones aren’t working so that they can make social media posts. The funniest parts are how they refer to it as all kinds of different animals, and never acknowledge it as an alien or unidentified creature. A close second is when they try to get a young man, who has come to water the plants, to move the alien but he won’t be easily fooled into doing it.

  The second half of the movie is when more of the horror kicks in. The alien finally lets its powers out, and sort of takes control of some of the girls. The wildest moment might be in a scene that seems like a dream, and some of the girls have a close encounter with the alien in a much different form. It’s a scene that may appease Lovecraft fans, and gross out others. With such a calm first half of the movie it does becomes surprisingly dramatic at the end. 

  “The Seed” starts with a focus on three girls who might be a little lost. Two are definitely lost in the social media world while the other may be trying to figure out who she is. All three never quite get what this thing that has fallen out of the sky is until it’s too late. The first half is amusing at points, but won’t have the audience falling out of their chairs. Much of the same can be said about the second half, but in regards to the horror. While still worth a watch, it would have been nice for the film to have leaned more heavily in one of those directions. With that, I give it 2.5 pools of blood. 

  HorrO

More about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2022/02/09/new-eye-popping-trailer-released-for-shudder-original-the-seed-unearthly-horror-comedy-premieres-exclusively-on-shudder-march-10/

THE EXORCISM OF GOD REVIEW

 

An American priest working in Mexico is possessed during an exorcism and ends up committing a terrible act. Eighteen years later, the consequences of his sin come back to haunt him, unleashing the greatest battle within.

Starring: Will Beinbrink, Joseph Marcell, and Maria Gabriela de Faria

Directed by: Alejandro Hidalgo

Written by: Santiago Fernandez Calvete, and Alejandro Hidalgo

  “The Exorcism of God” doesn’t sound like something that’s possible, but then again maybe it is. Father Peter Williams (Will Beinbrink) is another priest faced with having to do an exorcism without being truly prepared to do so. A young woman has been possessed by a demon, and time is running out to save her. Father Peter reaches out for help, but that help won’t arrive in time to save her. He decides to do the exorcism, but it doesn’t go as expected for him or the woman.

  Many years later, Father Peter has moved to a small village, and tried to make up for his sin. Of course things have been going well until they begin to turn south. He ends up visiting a local prison where it seems he’s about to run into another possessed woman. It looks like the demon has returned for more fun with the Father. Father Peter will get some help this time, but it still might not be enough.

  Audiences are obviously looking forward to exorcisms in these types of movies, but they seem to be getting harder to be any fresher than previous films. This one starts and ends with exorcisms, but it’s more about the story in-between. While the audience again gets a lot of back-and-forth between the possessed and the Father, the big attempted difference in this exorcism is the secret the Father is keeping. Oh, and something about having God inside him making it harder for the demon to complete its mission.

  What really stands out is the look of the film, and the possessed people. The film embraces its dark locations, and makes them work with a great mix of blackness and grey with a touch of light. It’s a constant reminder evil isn’t far away, and it’s not. There are lots of possessed women around, and they all look creepy with glowing eyes and wild hair. While there are some jump scare opportunities, its more fun when the women are seemingly just starring into the camera. 

  

  The title is “The Exorcism of God,” but God isn’t necessarily getting an exorcism in this case. Father Peter, while working on God’s side, might be the one who really needs an exorcism in the end. Unfortunately for him, he fails at his first exorcism, and creates a haunting sin. He tries to outrun it, but the time has come for him to face the demon again. While the audience watches him try to overcome his sin, they’ll be treated with some exorcisms, jump scares, and creepy images. Also, they won’t be able to escape the dark feel of most of the film, and certainly the impending doom of the prison. With that, I give it 3 pools of blood!

  HorrO

More about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2022/02/03/official-trailer-for-the-exorcism-of-god-coming-march-11th/

A BANQUET REVIEW

 

A widowed mother is radically tested when her teenage daughter insists a supernatural experience has left her body in service to a higher power.

Starring: Sienna Guillory, Jessica Alexander, and Ruby Stokes

Directed by: Ruth Paxton

Written by: Justin Bull

  “A Banquet” of food is offered, but there’s a lack of appetite going around. There’s no blaming anyone for the lack of appetite after the disturbing opening. Holly (Sienna Guillory) is taking care of her apparently sick husband, but isn’t there in time to save him from poisoning himself. The death hits her hard, but also is effecting her daughters Betsy (Jessica Alexander) and Isabelle (Ruby Stokes). 

  Betsy seems to get the worst of it, as she now struggles to eat. She’s not hungry anymore, and goes into convulsions when she’s basically forced to swallow anything. It might be expected after the loss of her father, or maybe even if it’s just a medical condition. However, as this moves on she gives a bizarre explanation of her body now belonging to another being or power. This doesn’t sit well with Holly, and the two continue to fight for whatever is left of Betsy.

  This story is definitely a slow burner, as it takes its time exploring Betsy, and her eating issue. It starts with what any parent would do in trying to get her to eat even the simplest things like a pea. Betsy can’t handle it so of course the next step is doctors who are no help either. When that all fails it becomes a family drama in the battle to figure out what’s wrong with her. Holly is still feeling the loss of her husband, and fears losing her daughter as well. Isabelle almost gets lost in their battle, but is definitely effected by this new environment around her.

  Since the story features a girl who doesn’t want to eat why not take the opportunity to focus on food? It focuses on food like taking extreme close ups, and watching it being prepared and cooked. They really do get some great shoots of the food, which is a shame Betsy and the audience don’t get to taste. Then it gets a little gross as the story finally gets a little closer to this mysterious side of Betsy. It brings on a scene that gives a little reminder of something like Pizza the Hut from “Spaceballs,” but a lot darker.

  “A Banquet” serves up a strange slower burner of a story. It appears at first to be simply about a girl not wanting to eat, but becomes a lot more. Betsy is completely overtaken in her belief that she has given herself over to another being. Her family can’t accept this, and continues to fight for her to eat again. Each person has their own battles as well not making it easy on this family. The imagery stands out here, particularly a close look at the food. Too bad this isn’t a cooking show. Of course a strange story is going to have an odd ending that might be hard for some to digest. With that, I give it 2.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

More about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2022/01/28/apocalyptic-mother-daughter-psychodrama-a-banquet-opens-feb-18th/