Movie Review: Land of the Dead (2005) October Horror Fest 2022 (13/31)

~Land of the dead is the fourth novel on the series of zombies created by George Romero (Night Living Dead; Dawn of the Dead & Day of the Dead) 

So in this movie we've got some new things created by Romero which deal with who is the worst enemy of humankind on a apocalypse zombies - hint is not the zombies and secondly how would the plague of zombies evolved?

On contrary o
f the previous novel here is several years after and some people are trying to amass food. They found that firecrackers make zombies not attack while they pillage which  they use it but zombies are now doing two different stuff - one they are mimicking stuff they did previsouly  - some kind of lost memory repetitive and secondly one zombie is learning and at the same time teaching other zombies - how to use a weapon or not to be distracted and so on.

At the same time in the paradise city not everything is great as we hope as the rich live on the spoils of the poor.

I enjoy the movie, the changes on the zombies BUT I didn't enjoy the ending that much. Is not bad BUT is like zombies become a new kind of species. In terms of characters were interesting and innovative FOR that time.  IF you are only watching now AFTER the Walking dead you will feel these characters boring but never forget tha all of these tropes were created by him.

Movie Review: Dawn of the Dead (1978) October Horror Fest 2022 (12/31)

I was keen to rewatch all of the George Romero zombie movies (although) I skipped the first one and started with Dawn of Dead. I still remember some parts and I must say there is another zombie movie in the early 00 with the same name - it was a remake -  that try to copy this but unfortunately copying and now knowing what to cut and what to add that make it feel new is something not all people can do it...

At least the plot is the same... 

So basically society is in shambles as the dead rises and some people try to escape the cirites while the army try to contain the zombies. Two soldiers seeing nothing could be done to stop the onslaught (some social commentary here since one is black and other is white - and there was some racial tension) they escape via helicopter with a couple of tv news personal. 

The first instinct was getting north but then they stop at a mall since had everything they wanted and few death inside but then stuff happens and they have to deal with zombies and even bike gangs.

I have some complains... it's too slow at some moments and a bit repetitive. They have to show you everything and try to copy paste situations... Then we've got the zombies which don't behave at zombies at times and with our survivors they almost are just there to be pushed aside. Their attack is pointless with no velocity. I wonder how they got so powerful and so many.   Then the zombies can climb ladders which make no sense since they would make it topple over.. But whatever..

The goods , the interaction between all characters and the growth you've get from all them.

Movie Review: The Valdemar Legacy (2010) & Luz: The Flower of Evil (2019) October Horror Fest 2022 (11/31)

I've recently watch two spanish language movies that I didn't enjoy at all..

The first one  had some interesting premise and it is a story within a story and unfortunately I just found out there is a sequel and that makes sense because the first one is incompleted. There was a second movie called Valdemar Legacy - La Sombra Prohibida. It's a story of young woman who is trying to getting a value of an old house BUT stuff happens and she disappears. Afterwards a detective is sent to investigate (to this 30m have passed) and the remaining 1 hour is the story within a story as a woman tells the story of the house.. then the movie ends. I was disappointed. 2/10

The second deals with an isolated religious community as things go to shit. I don't understand all the IMBD reviews because they all gave it a 9 or 10 but then the average is 5 which makes zero sense.. One thing I will say it terms of cinematography is a good movie. BUT in terms of story I've seen way better and ti ended well poorly to be honest. It has some interesting concepts - very akin to the Village - but deals with god and devil and the loss of innocence. To be honest I coudn't connect with most characters, the three girls were cool, but then the all "jesus" redemption arc in the end was bad. Calling this horror - well maybe psychologic horror living in that community but apart from that... probably not the movie fault but rather mine - but one thing I say - don't trust IMDB reviews. They all say the same things 5/10

Movie Review: Amigo (2019) October Horror Fest 2022 (10/31)

 Another spanish horror movie, there are a couple more to watch and for what I am watching I am enjoying them... This one deals with two friends... which is what it means "amigo". The story is about a guy who has been in accident and can't move, so his friends take care of him rather dutifully - putting the friends needs above his but then we start wo see things strange things. that make us wonder the sanity of the caretaker. He is taken some medicine for mind but unfortunately due to some strange occurrences in weather he can't get more.

As the story progress he comes paranoid that his friend is trying to kill him and install a camera. First some people appear on camera (a woman which we learn is the wife of the invalid) and then some other paranormal stuff. 

We become aware that there was an accident and the reason the caretaker is trying so hard is because he is partial culpable of the friend condition and demise of of the wife.

Before going for spoilers let me just say that the invalid is really a great actor, his body is really deformed due to the fact that he doesn't move and your muscles become atrophied.

Some spoilers..

The story by the end begins to be very dark as the caretaker is really punishing his friend with force feeding, cold water, and other mistreating that makes you quiver in pain... then that deaths are truly magnificent to be honest - I didn't expect , first he invalid stabbing the caretaker and dying as well... Perfect ending. 

Another great Spanish thriller horror movie.

Take your medicine guys...

Movie Review: Veneciafrenia (2022) October Horror Fest 2022 (9/31)

 Of all the movies I've watch this month so far, this was the best. Another spanish movie that deals with a group of friends that go to Venice to have a farewell party of one of them that is going to be married.

They are all different friends which enhanced my enjoyment and there were several plotlines going on. First of all and center is what is happening in Venice. As you know Venice is a city on top of islands and connected by bridges and boats. There are four hundred islands, some of them with their own history.  Veneti (I know they aren't called that - those were the ancient inhabitants of Venice) hate the visitors , after all they are destroying Venice with their polution, grafitti etc... do you know that  Venice receives more than 20 million people per year? That's insane. Italy has around 60 million people so you can see the impact that has...

Well, besides this story you've got a madman roaming around Venezia killing foreigners. Interesting (and also believable) he makes like he is making a play - since he is dressed as a Harlequin) and people laugh and record it. With thousands every day it's believable that if a couple disappear who would notice it?

Well on top of this story, there is another we get glimpses and more heavily on the end that there are group of terrorists kidnapping people and trying to increase fear so visitors stop coming...

One of the best aspects of the movie is the flow, I really enjoy it, sometimes it's fast paced, sometimes it gives us time to learn more about the main characters, villains and city. Another is the images that we get from Venice. Venice is beautiful but can also be frightful with their small corridors and water everywhere. They really get the atmosphere of Venice and the Harlequins and Plague Doctors.. I really enjoy the story and that ending is very good... IF you didn't understand the ending I am going to tell you... so spoilers ahead...

The two terrorists (husband and wife) were kidnapping people and knew the police was on top of them so they publish the video in their name, hinting there are more and instead of getting arrested they killed for the cause. To be honest,  I hope for something different. I hope, or wanted  they gave the plague to the people they kidnap and letting them go to their country and let the bubonic plague roam free. That would be nicer but alas..

Movie Review: Virus-32 (2022) October Horror Fest 2022 (8/31)

 As I watch this movie, I thought two things - first, it was a zombie kind of movie (more on the vein of Hater the book) and then I thought this is Spanish but not from Spain I thought Argentina … it sure look like it but alas, it was Uruguayan. Almost there.

You've got a girl that is going to work when her ex-husband reminds her that she must take care of the child. IT seems she is struggling with something (we've see a photo of her, ex husband plus two children) but only one is there.

She brings her child  (of 8) to work as she is a night watchwoman on a abandoned building. Strange things are happening on the city - but all in the background.

In that buildings she lets her child playing with some balls while she is making her rounds when strange people, violent people start to invade the place. As she struggles to find her child, she meets those people and some normal people who first save her, then make her work for them in return to tell her where her child is... 

This book is nothing new, is not scary and it's a bit of jump scare. Then there is the all 32 on the title.. you know what it is Going to explain, with spoilers

After one of these people kill something (either a rat or a person) they become still for 32 seconds-why? Is never explained.

Nothing really is innovative, nothing is really interesting. I got bored and there are some deus-ex machina moments that really was boring convenience plot... yes that key was just there - why? Well because... There were a dozen rats in that storage, why? Well because... And the pistol was just there , why? Because. 

I also wondered why so many people entered that place...

The ending was boring, and as much films nowadays leave you wonder -now what? Well if it sells - you've got a sequel, if it doesn't sell it, then you've got a "I wonder" moment that is rather convenience..

Then the main characters, is beaten in the end by one of the monsters but not killed yet the zombie stop for the 32 seconds - WHY? it makes zero sense..

Movie Review: Monstrous (2022) October Horror Fest 2022 (7/31)

You know when you start watching a movie and get the feeling that you've watched it before? This was it. Set in the 60/70's a woman and her son goes to live in a isolate place to escape her ex-husband. Right from the start you get the feeling that something is wrong with the scenery and interaction between her son and the mother. The conversations between characters don't add up and you get glimpses from time to time... The all lady in pond and the son seeing it, the interaction between her and the landlords that talk as the house is falling apart while her seeing all beautiful, the job, the school and lack of interaction between the child and the colleagues.

Christini Ricci did a good job. But as I said I've seen this type of trope dozen times. The boy also was not that interesting actor and at that age they could have found someone better.. hey but at least it will grow.

Movie Review: Stay Out Stay Alive (2019) October Horror Fest 2022 (6/31)

This was starting to be an interesting tale and then it got a bit boring and predictable. So we've got a group of friends, 2 couples and one female extra) while they are going on a vacation in the wilderness. They want to visit some mines but the forest guard says that it's close and cannot be done.

Yet they by mistake find it when the single female extra falls into a pit. There she is trapped and while saving her they find a lot of gold, so they change their place of camping to mine as much as gold as possible. 

that's a lot of awards so what do I know....

Things start to get weird when they find a journal and things are happening repeatedly as centuries ago. Then it gets bored... 

So, of course you know what is going to happen, the extra has having an affair, the man becomes toxic masculinity in person, the pregnant women becomes obsessed with money and the only voice of reason (small reason) is of course a women and nobody listen to her..

Can I advise it? You can of course see it. Nothing really that interesting but don't expect nothing new... No nudity whatsoever although there is a girl with big boobs that I wish she went nude BUT alas that's not it or there.

Movie Review: Evilspeak (1981) October Horror Fest 2022 (5/31)

Evilspeak is a slow burn kind of movie... 

You've got our main character who is being bullied by his army colleagues and as the days advance he becomes frustrated and angry. He discovers some ancient demonic books and is so desperate that you can see it change day by day...  The movie is nothing you could put on a pedestal because as I Said it's slow and it's over the last confrontation it ends very fast. Although is not a bad movie.. the main character evolution is truly something interesting... in the beginning we get to feel pity and as the story progress you becoming to feel a bit afraid of him...  This was done on 1981 so the computer savvy it was a cool thing to watch

Should you watch? Yes, but vear in mind that if you enjoy scary and fast books this will not be for your. This is slow and doesn't have any kind of terror factor.

6/10

Movie Review: Black Hand (2015) October Horror Fest 2022 (4/31)

So we are going to review Black Hand which is a korean movie. This is a story of a neurosurgeon which  has been making breakthroughs on transplants. When his mistress gets her hand chopped he makes a transplant and then thins get weird and bloody. Everything on the plot it's predictable and boring EXCEPT the ending which surprised me.

This is very slow, we are talking Korean slow. All the setup drags on and on... Which is why I didn't enjoy as much as other slow burning movies. It's not that gritty so don't worry and there are some awkward sex scenes... Either you show nudity OR  please to drag sex scenes for minutes on end..

Movie Review: Hana-dama (2014) October Horror Fest 2022 (3/31)

This is how you do horror or is it? 

A Bit of spoilers ahead...

So what is this about? A young girl called Mizuki goes to a new school and of course gets bullied. As she is bullied, one of the girls of the class becomes interested in her and starts defending her (Kirie). They become friends and Mizuki confides in her that she changed schools because she became pregnant from a school teacher (we never knew if it was consensual or not - well she was a minor so that's that). As they hang out they meet a boy called Shibanai. Well the bully continues and Shibanai becomes interested in Mizuki, Kirie becomes jealous of Mizuki and tells her parents that Mizuki is still screwing a new teacher...

After a while as Shibanai & Kirie were starting to get intimal two teachers appear and rape Kirie. Kirie afterwards ask Shibanai to fuck her because she feels awful with the semen of the professors so they fuck (what...) and later that day Kirie commits suicide.

Mizuki is very upset with everything and starts to get revenge... Well, Mizuki cuts herself and we get to see something (like a flower with tooth... very strange stuff) and then chaos happen and strange psychedelic stuff happen and people start dying or getting crazy and such...

It's very odd

Advisable? Hmm Highly debatable... I honestly can't recommend unless you enjoy Japanese horror.

Movie Review: X-Game October Horror Fest 2022 (2/31)

 X-Game is a japanese movie about a group of teenagers force to play wicked games to survive. The reason behind we get to know as the story progress and it was a cool story. 

Before you jump saying - looks like Squid something well, Japanese have been doing this kind of movies for a long time, since Battle Royale , which was the first I remember watching but one of my favorite was As The Gods Wills it (2014).

One of the latest was Imawa no Kuni no Alice (2020).

So, what are my thoughts... well this movie has some interesting stuff, remember all those things you did as you were kid, those pranks and so on? Well here they turn several notches...The bullying in Korea & Japan movies is very common - I don't know if the bullying there is worst than in europe or usa but sure they portrayed as such. I won't advice this book unless you like this theme of death game. IF you have watched all others I advised here then go ahead - it's more of the same. Different reason, different games but mayhem and horror and gore.

Movie Review: Ju-On: Black Ghost / White Ghost - October Horror Fest 2022 (1/31)

 I've always enjoy Ju-On & Ringu. So I thought I would watch the movies this year for October Horror Fest. I've already watch the first and second a couple of times but never really dwelt the later ones... So here we go...

If you don't know Ju-On it deals with a curse. There were two short called Katasumi & 4444444444. But in terms of movies the first one was Ju-On: The Curse in 2000 & Ju-On: The Curse 2 also in 2000. BUT in terms of theatrical the first one was Ju-On the Grudge in 2002, and then Ju-On The Grudge 2 in 2003. 

Afterwards they made two movies they air in the same time. They are connected two the previous although they followed different familes... One was called Ju-On: Black Ghost and second Ju-On: White Ghost.

There were 3 more movies made; one of them a cross-over with the Ring Series... So let's review the first two:

Black Ghost

This, as previous are told in vignettes with different characters setup & fate. One of the most interesting things, but the previous was like that s well, they are told in anachronic timeline. I am note going to lie to you but you must be completely focus or you will lose where you are in terms of story - because as I said it's not told in one fluid motion. 

for those who follows AV you will remember Maria Takagi & Kana Tsugihara. Bear in mind there is no nudity on the movie BUT it's cool to see her.

White Ghost

This one is not a sequel of some sorts - but it also doesn't feature Sadako. This is set on the same house as the previous years after Black Ghost. Btw, in both movies Toshi (is that his name) appears but very briefly - no part of the plot. This one evolves a broken family, some child molestation and a confused grandmother...

I can't really talk about the movies plot or else would give to much spoilers... If you want to see all movies, then these two would be right on your alley. But watching just for the sake of horror as isolated I cannot recommend them. It's for hardcore.