Splice

Director:: Vincenzo Natali


Rated: R


Dark Castle Entertainment: June 4, 2010


104 minutes

From IMDb: Genetic engineers Clive Nicoli(Adrien Brody) and Elsa Kast (Sarah Polley) hope to achieve fame by successfully splicing together the DNA of different animals to create new hybrid animals for medical use. Dren (Delphine Chaneac).


This was a movie, I always wanted to see in the theatres, however, never made it to see it. So, last night, while flipping through countless satellite channels, I just happened to come across this, starting in ten minutes on the Space channel. I've been a fan of Adrien Brody's work, and when I remembered he was in this, I decided to grab some chips and settle down to watch it. 


The lowdown of the movie, begins with two genetic engineers splicing animal DNA to create new animals, just like the above description says. The action started pretty quick in the beginning with Elsa, having a soft spot for this new hybrid animal. She becomes a surrogate mother for it, trying to teach it, and help it develop. 


When the main action of the movie took off, it was quite good. They run away with Dren, who incidentally got her that name, while playing with scrabble tiles with Elsa, forming the word nerd, and Elsa looking at it backwards. The development of the "animal" is very quick and the once tiny little spliced animal, is now becoming a grown woman. Who has eyes for Clive.


Without too many spoilers, the viewer finds out that not only was animal DNA spliced into Dren, but human DNA as well, which explains her appearance and ability to love and want to be loved.


Close to the end of the movie, the action is much greater, some key characters do get killed and of course, what is a movie like this, without a twist at the end that could possibly hint of a sequel. 


It wasn't filled with gore, however, I did find it had a good storyline, and the acting was quite well. I would recommend watching this, therefore I will give Splice a 4/5.

Bidding you bloody nightmares,

Nyx

[Rec 2]

Director: Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza

Rated: R

Magnolia Pictures: July 12, 2011

85 Minutes

From Amazon:
The highly anticipated sequel to one of the scariest films of all time, [REC] 2 picks up 15 minutes from where we left off, taking us back into the quarantined apartment building where a terrifying virus runs rampant. What they find inside lies beyond the scope of medical science - a demonic nightmare more terrifying than they could possibly imagine.

I wasn't exactly the biggest fan of the first [Rec] but I checked out the second one anyways. Partially because I bought it the same time I bought the first one. The second one seems like a better movie although I still don't think it was great. I'd say it wasn't really my type of movie but I love "found footage" films. I'm not sure what it was or why I didn't like them so much, I just didn't. The acting was fairly well done, the story line's mesh together good...I think it just wasn't a Ginger type of movie.

This movie takes place shortly after the end of the first [Rec] but involves a crew of special forces who take a doctor/priest into the quarantined building. The thing that I liked more about [Rec 2] then the first one was that the second had way more explanation. It was almost like they took questions people had about the first one and found a way to answer them in part 2. I'm sure this was a huge plus for all the fans of both [Rec] films.

I think I'm kind of neutral towards this movie. I didn't like it but I didn't hate it either. It had it's moments (even if there was only a few), it had a few creepy parts, and a twist at the end which is always a plus! If you haven't had the chance to check them out yet you might want to. As long as you don't start either movie with high expectations I think you'll find both movies to be quite enjoyable!

My Rating: 3/5
Ginger

Psychic Experiment

Director: Mel House

Rated: R

Lions Gate: December 6, 2011

93 Minutes

From Amazon: A small town is being taken over by corrupted doctors, who take dying patients in the hospital and implant chips in their brains tracking each individuals innermost evil desires. With this powerful knowledge, horrific, unexplainable events start terrorizing the town, leaving many to question the hospital and the doctors' abilities. As the deceit escalates, everyone in town is left running for their lives in terror!

This is another movie that I got for like forty-nine cents at my local Blockbuster when it closed. How I wish I would have kept that forty-nine cents. I realize that there aren't many big name actors is this film; however, I expected more coming from Lions Gate. I'm not really sure where to start with this review but let's break it down.

Actors: There aren't really any notables in this film. The one that stands out the most is Paranormal Activities Katie Featherston and I can assure you that even her performance was subpar. That acting was terrible! And that is putting it mildly. I'm actually contemplating the fact that these "actors" may have been acting this poorly on purpose.

Effects: What? Effects? This movie clearly had a smaller budget than and PA film did and the effects were terrible. To be honest, I think there was only one and it was pretty bad. I should probably admit that I didn't actually watch the movie in its entirety. I was bored about 1 minute in but stuck it out at least halfway. This movie will never again have the privilege of touching my PS3.

Storyline: I'm a little confused by this-as was the person I watched it with. The story seems to jump all over the place. At one point I'm watching a strained parting between 2 people. The next there is a group of activists talking about....something? And then there is this child molester who gets stalked by some of this group....and then there is some weird dolls trying to break out of their packaging at the store? Confused? Me too. The storyline seems to follow no general direction and is completely sporadic.

I don't know what else to say about this movie. The acting was terrible, enough said. The effect were atrocious and the storyline made zero sense. I would highly recommend NOT watching this...Even though it's only $3 on Amazon, not worth it. I won't even post the link to the Amazon thing like normal because I am fully advocating non-buying lol.

My Rating: 1/5
Ginger

The Woman In Black

Director: James Watkins

Rated: PG-13

CBS Films: May 22, 2012

95 Minutes

From Amazon: A young lawyer travels to a remote village to organize a recently deceased client's papers, where he discovers the ghost of a scorned woman set on vengeance.

I really liked 'The Woman In Black' and I think a lot of people don't like it because it stars Daniel Radcliffe. It's hard for an actor to be successful after being a child star and he is no exception. All of his fame comes from years of work in the Harry Potter films. That being said I think he did an amazing job of distinguishing himself as an adult actor and in a completely new genre of film. For a movie that is rated PG-13 I thought that the Woman In Black was awesome!

Like I said earlier, it stars Daniel Radcliffe. He is set out to this house where he has to go through all of this woman's belongings. No one in the town will go there and they throw everything they can at him to keep him away from the house. While at the house a lot of creepy and unexplainable things happen and they just get more and more intense. Back in town things get more heated and fatal! The movie isn't overly scary although it does have it's moments. I think the storyline was very well done and the acting it pretty good too.

I am happy to have 'The Woman In Black' as part of my ever growing collection of horror films. While it may not hold all the normal thrills and chills that most people have come to expect it can still hold it's own. With a good storyline, good acting, a few scares and a great cast I'd have to give 'The Woman In Black' a 5/5 and recommend that everyone see it!

My Rating: 5/5
Ginger

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Director: Oren Peli


86 Minutes, Rated R


Blumhouse Productions: October 16, 2009

From IMDb: After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.


My fellow horror writer has previously reviewed this movie.  You can find her review here  Ginger's review.


It's taken me awhile to finally watch this, and finally, I have. To begin, I will be honest and say that usually I'm more attracted to the gore and bloody movies,  yet I found myself attracted to this movie. 


I will admit, I found the beginning to be quite dragging. Like other movies, where you are viewing it through the eyes of the "cameraman", it gives you different angles, that you may not see in regular filmed movies. Being a great fan of both "The Blair Witch Project" and "Quarantine", who also use the 'found video tapes' concept, I was looking forward to some action. 


Throughout the movie, I found the guy quite annoying. From what I gather, she had experienced this sort of "haunting" before, and he didn't believe it. So what does he do, encourage it, call it out, use a Ouija board and taunt it.  Mid way through, I was hoping the entity would come out and get the idiot. 


By the time the action really started kicking in, I must say, I was on the edge of my seat. The funny thing, watching it at night was quite a different experience than watching it the next day with the sun shining through the window. I have been told there are alternate endings, and it seems I just saw the "normal" ending, whatever that is. 


It was frightful in some parts, made me cover my eyes and dread what was going to "show up" on the camera. I do have a new desire to continue watching these in the series though, and I have read recently they are filming a new one for a possible 2013/14 release. 


While it lacks in guts and gore and blood, it makes up for with suspense, frights and the fear that there could be an "unknown" living in our homes. 


For those reasons, I am giving this movie a 4/5.

Bidding you bloody nightmares,

Nyx

REC

Directors: Juame Balaguero & Paco Plaza

Rated: R

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment: July 14, 2009

78 Minutes

From Amazon: From Executive Producers who brought you Quarantine, comes the movie that inspired the terror. A beautiful TV reporter (Manuela Velasco, Law of Desire) and her cameraman are doing a routine interview at a local fire station when an emergency call comes in. Accompanying the firefighters to a nearby apartment, the news team begins recording the bloodcurdling screams coming from inside an elderly woman's unit. After authorities seal off the building to contain the threat, the news crew, firefighters and residents are trapped to face a lethal terror inside. With the camera running, nothing may survive but the film itself.

I was so, SO, excited to finally buy and watch [Rec]. I really can't even put into words how badly I wanted to see it. Especially because like, everyone and their mom has been talking about how scary it is and how good it was. You can imagine my excitement when I found it for sale at Blockbuster for .99! I also found [Rec] 2 which I haven't watched yet for .99. So I grabbed them both right away and here we are. I was so disappointed! I still thought it was an okay movie. It had like 1 or 2 scares in it, there was blood and zombie like creatures (always a ++++ in my book!) but I still didn't love it. The beginning was so slow! The best part of the movie had to have been the ending!

So, this movie is about this woman and her cameraman and they are spending the night with these firemen making a show called While you were sleeping or something. So the first...20 minutes or so was just her doing boring things and interviewing people. 20 minutes is a LONG time for such a short movie! It's practically half of the movie! So they get called out because this woman is locked in her apartment. Well it turns out this lady has some kind of disease or virus or something and she attacks this guy and rips a chunk out of his neck. So then the building gets put on quarantine (hence the name of the American remake) and everyone attacks each other and walks around and fights....and walks around.

I didn't find this movie scary at all. There was one part that might have made me jump if it was painstakingly obvious. As I said earlier, the best part was probably the last 5 minutes or so. If you watch this movie I guess you'll see why. I'm definitely not going to ruin the ending...that was the best part! lol. Anyways, overall I wasn't impressed at all. It definitely could have been loads better but you get what you get I guess. I'm not holding onto hope for part 2 but I'll definitely watch it in the next couple of days just to get it over with and so I can review it. Watch this movie...or don't...you aren't missing out on much.

My Rating: 3/5
Ginger

Premonition (Japanese)

Director: Norio Tsuruta

Rated: R

Lions Gate: July 5, 2005

95 Minutes

From Amazon: They are used to tell the past, but for a few unlucky individuals, they foretell the future. When Hideki picks up a newspaper he knows what he will see...death. Foretelling ill-omened fate of everything from slayings to train crashes, there is nothing Hideki can do to stop the event... or is there? When the paper predicts the demise of his daughter in a car crash, Hideki seeks out other like himself, searching for a way to change the future.

For those of you who have seen the American version of 'Premonition' with Sandra Bullock, please don't use that as a basis for whether or not you watch the Japanese version. While I thought that the American Premonition was (at best) an OK movie, the Japanese version is far superior. It is also scary in a mild sense and what I would deem a horror movie despite the crappy American remake!

'Premonition' is about this family whose lives are torn apart because the father finds a newspaper that says his daughter died yet she is sitting in the car across from him. He starts to get all sorts of premonitions about different people and tragedies and soon becomes obsessed with trying to save these people. Eventually he gets to attempt another shot at his own premonition that killed his daughter years before. I think the American version only took that part of the Japanese movie and made a whole movie about it.

'Premonition' isn't a scary movie...I think there are actually only a few parts that might make you jump the first time you watch it; however, it is a great movie with a consistent plot and a few scares along the way. I think what makes Premonition a scary movie is the psychological side of it. What would it really be like to know all these people were going to die and there was nothing you could do? Or, if you could do something you'd eventually kill yourself in the process! It's allll psychological! Anyways, it's a good movie so if you're into foreign movies then check it out! It's actually really cheap on Amazon (that's where I got mine!) or I'm sure you could pick it up at your local video story. You should definitely check it out!

My Rating: 4/5
Ginger

The Devil Inside

Director: William Brent Bell

Rated: R

Paramount: May 15, 2012

83 Minutes

From Amazon: In 1989, emergency responders received a 9-1-1 call from Maria Rossi confessing to three brutal murders. The courts found her insane - but something else found her first. Twenty years later, her daughter Isabella’s search for answers led to an exorcism by two rogue priests revealing that her mother is possessed by four powerful demons. Now, Isabella must face pure evil or forsake her soul. Discover why The Devil Inside is the movie critics call “riveting” and “terrifying.”*

I know that my fellow gory Chick Nyx already wrote a review for 'The Devil Inside' but I just got around to watching it even though it's been sitting in my house since the DVD release date. I'm a little behind on movies! I actually didn't think that this movie was as bad as everyone makes it sound. Whether or not that was because my expectations were so low for the film or not, I can't say. If "found video" movies aren't your type of thing then you might just want to skip this one and the review. If it's something you're open to then keep reading!

Normally I would go into my normal "So, like...this movie is about....stuff" but Nyx already did that in her review (which you can find here). So, I'm just going to skip that whole part!

I watched this movie about a week ago and I was fairly impressed. I honestly think that a big part of the reason I found this movie enjoyable is because so many people hated it AND I heard so many negative things about it. While it's not particularly scary or have a lot of frightening moments it is pretty entertaining at the least. I think it's just the type of movie you have to be in the mood to watch and be interested in. Don't go into it thinking it's like Paranormal Activity and you might actually find that you like it!

My Rating: 4/5
Ginger

The Reaping

Director: Stephen Hopkins

Rated: R

Warner Home Video: October 16, 2007

99 Minutes

From Amazon: Investigative scholar Katherine Winter (Hilary Swank) is a debunker of modern miracles, bringing scientific light to superstition and fraud. But events in tiny Haven, Louisiana, defy even her expertise. There, the 10 Biblical Plagues seem to be reoccurring. And the more she seeks answers, the more she questions her own beliefs. Two-time Academy Award (R) winner Swank headlines this electrifying Dark Castle Entertainment production that reaps locusts, frogs, a river of blood and more - all to eye-filling, fear-inducing, heart-probing, must-see effect.

I think I've mentioned before that the Blockbuster by my house was closing. Well, I went on a crazy DVD/Blu-ray shopping spree and The Reaping was one of the movies I bought. It was only 49 cents! haha. Anyways, I thought it was a pretty good movie although I hadn't really heard of it before this point.

So, the movie is basically about this women who umm goes on these expeditions to disprove miracles that people believe are from God. When she returns from one of her "miracles" she gets a visitor who pleads for her help and this woman....I can't remember her name right now but she's played by Hillary Swank....she agrees to investigate it. It wasn't the river turned into blood that intrigued her but the fact that it was caused by a twelve year old girl.

Considering the synopsis for this movie I think it was really well played out. I guess from someone who is an atheist or...not religious, whatever, they might think it's a little heavy on the religious side. That's just something I've heard floating around about it; however, I'd have to disagree. I think it integrated religious aspects very well into the movie with neither side being too distraught. If you haven't seen The Reaping yet I recommend it but you aren't really missing out on anything if you don't.

My Rating: 3/5
Ginger

28 Weeks Later

Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo 


Rated: R  100minutes


Fox Atomic/DNA Films (11 May 2007)

From IMDb: Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes to plan.

I have to admit, that zombie movies have never been my favourite. I can't explain it. I think my first exposure to zombies was watching Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' when I was a kid. Since then, I've been asked many times "have you seen that Zombie move?" and I always answer "no". 

While surfing the satellite one night for something to watch, I stumbled across this movie. I read the guide's description of the movie and figured, hmm, why not check it out. I have to say, within the first 15 minutes I was hooked. It was one of those movies, that you just couldn't turn away, you had to keep watching to see what happened.

The jist of the movie, as the description says was how a quarantined city tries to survive this virus. Easily spread, by just spitting on people, the people soon start turning into zombies. A father and his kids are reunited, while their father holds a terrible secret about what happened to their mother. 

I found the movie quick paced, fill with action. There were not many parts, where you are sitting and watching and thinking hurry up already,something happen. I thought the special effects, makeup effects quite good as well. 

I'm sure, all the zombie enthusiasts out there, would have a better movie than this to recommend to someone just starting out with zombie based movies, but I was pleasantly impressed with this movie. It sure turned me on to zombies and made a fan out of this horror movie addict. 

Overall, I'm going to give this movie 4/5.

Bidding you bloody nightmares,

Nyx

Grave Encounters

Director: The Viscous Brothers

Rated: Not Rated

New Video Group: October 18, 2011

93 Minutes

From Amazon: Ghost Hunters meets Paranormal Activity in this horror film about a team of paranormal investigators spending the night locked inside an abandoned asylum.

When I first heard about Grave Encounters and saw the previews I expected it to be a complete pile of dog crap. I thought it was going to be corny as hell and a complete waste of time. When I watch a movie I can usually tell within the first 5 minutes if I'm going to like it or not and what type of movie it will be. I didn't get that with Grave Encounters. I think that maybe because my expectations were so low for it that it seemed WAY better than I imagined. At first it comes off as a little corny and, I won't lie, I was a little annoyed that they so blatantly ripped off Ghost Adventures but took Aaron out (BOO!). I mean, there are a TON of similarities. It's in total GA style so, chances are if you like GA then you just might like Grave Encounters.

The movie starts off with this guy who is talking about this show Grave Encounters and that these films haven't been edited in any way except to cut out some time so they could fit 76 hours of footage into a movie. Then the movie starts with this guy (who looks like Zak Bagans) who does an intro for the show and how they are going to do a lock down inside this haunted mental institute for 8 hours. Then they do some interviews and a walk through complete with duct tapes (GA style). They set up cameras around the facility and set up an area for their "tech guy" to work from monitoring things. Then they get locked in and begin their investigation and things just get better from there on out...pretty much.

I won't lie, there are some corny parts in there but the film quickly picks up and by the end, you'll love it. The corny bits in the beginning won't even matter. The only reason I am bringing that up so much is because most people will see the corny stuff at the beginning and think "This movie sucks already!" and shut it off, well don't! It actually gets good by the end with a few good scares and some decent effects in there. Definitely check out Grave Encounters, I'm sure you'll like it and if not, at least you probably jumped a couple times.

My Rating: 4/5
Ginger

Hostel II

Director: Eli Roth

Rated: Not Rated

Sony: October 23, 2007

95 Minutes

From Amazon: In Hostel 2, three girls from Rome, Beth (Laura German), Whitney (Bijou Phillips), and Lorna (Heather Matarazzo), are lured to Slovakia by a sultry, vampiric hottie (Vera Jordonova) who modeled for them in figure drawing class. Sidetracked and disoriented by some Pagan Slovakian festivals and luxurious hot springs, the girls slip away one by one, until the film moves inside the torture chambers.

I watched Hostel II the night after I watched the first Hostel and, I hate to admit, it was infinitely better! The only thing I didn't like about Hostel II was the character Lorna, she was super annoying! She was really whiny and stuff and even when she was crying it was annoying. The whole time I was thinking "OMG! Hurry up and kill this bitch, shit!" haha. I really couldn't stand her. Other than that, it was great. I think it was depicted fairly accurately with the way people would act and there were no more "Swing King" characters. The was a lot more blood, guts, and a lot less T&A in this one.

Hostel II is about Beth and her two friends Whitney and Lorna. They are going on a vacation from school somewhere but are talked into going to this other area by some lesbian model chick. So, they end up at the Hostel and the people slowly start to go missing from there. The same people from the first Hostel are in part II so I liked the consistency there. A lot of times when you go to different movie the same characters won't be in it or they'll leave out parts or something won't make sense. I feel like Eli Roth kept it very consistent and on track. Everything lined up and fit in place properly.

I think that Hostel II was SO much better than the first one. And I liked how Stuart died at the end because, like Beth, I can't stand the C word either...I refuse to even write it on the blog! haha. There was a lot of blood, guts and mayhem so definitely worth checking out. You don't even NEED to see part 1 to watch this one if you didn't want to.

My Rating: 5/5
Ginger

Hostel

Director: Eli Roth

Rated: Not Rated

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment: April 18, 2006

94 Minutes

From Amazon: Well-made for the genre--the excessive-skin-displayed-before-gruesome-bloody-torture-begins genre--Hostel follows two randy Americans (Jay Hernandez, Friday Night Lights, and Derek Richardson, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd) and an even randier Icelander (Eythor Gudjonsson) as they trek to Slovakia, where they're told beautiful girls will have sex with anyone with an American accent. Unfortunately, the girls will also sell young Americans to a company that offers victims to anyone who will pay to torture and murder. To his credit, writer/director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) takes his time setting things up, laying a realistic foundation that makes the inevitable spilling of much blood all the more gruesome. The sardonic joke, of course, is that Americans are worth the most in this brothel of blood because everyone else in the world wants to take revenge upon them.

I'm sure by this point everyone has seen Hostel....well, everyone who would be reading this blog. I watched it a long time ago, probably around the time it first came out, and then again the other night. I'm trying to work my way through a staggering stack of horror movies that just keeps piling up! lol. Anyways, I picked this one the other night and it wasn't as good as I remembered it being. I thought there was a lot more...blood and gore and stuff in it. I was a little unhappy with it this time through. And, I totally ruined the beginning of Hostel II by telling the person I was watching it with that I thought it ended differently. Then I proceeded to tell them how I thought it ended with the guy in the hospital and the police show up there and BAM they have dog face tattoo. Then I watched the second Hostel last night with the same person and guess what the opening scene was? Yup, that's me.

So, the story is about these 2 guys from America who are "backpacking" across Europe. And along the way they end up picking up this guy who is a complete weirdo an constantly refers to himself as "The king of swing" or something. I have to point out, there is a lot more tits and ass in this movie then I remember there being as well....anyways so they end up in the Hostel and slowly start to disappear and end up in this factory thing where they are tortured and killed.

Hostel wasn't terrible but it definitely wasn't what I thought it was going to be...maybe it's just because I watched it in 2005 and it seemed better back then? Any-who, I would suggest seeing it if you haven't. It won't hurt but you aren't missing anything too exciting if you skip it.

My Rating: 3/5
Ginger

Ju-On 2

Director: Takashi Shimizu

Rated: Not Rated

Lions Gate: October 10, 2006

92 Minutes

From Amazon:
Takashi Shimizu's inexhaustible obsession with the Ju-on franchise finds a creepy outlet in Ju-on 2, which by most accounts is actually the fourth Japanese feature in the bunch. It returns to the style and structure that made Ju-on: The Grudge such an unnerving experience: the child demon with the blue face, the clicking/croaking that accompanies the appearances of the female ghost, the chockablock chronology that treats each haunting as a jigsaw piece to fit together into the whole. The plot follows an actress (Noriko Sakai), known as the "horror queen" of movies, as she deals with the repercussions of a car accident in which she loses her pregnancy. Or does she? Pregnant or not, the idea of going with a small film crew to the very haunted house where the unpleasantness of the original took place is probably not a healthy idea. Some of the scares still work just fine if you're watching this movie with the lights out, but the feeling of discovery, in the wake of the original Ju-on, the Ring films, and the Hollywood sequels, has definitely worn off by now. Thus the unshakable feeling that Shimizu is going through the paces with this one, rather than expanding on a pretty nifty original idea.

I have high, high expectations of J-Horror films so I was a little disappointed with Ju-On 2. I thought it was going to be so much more superior especially to it's American version. I can't remember much from The Grudge 2 but I'm fairly certain that I might have like it better. But, that's not to say that everything about Ju-On 2 was bad, it wasn't. It definitely had some good points but it had a lot of negatives as well.

I'm not going to explain what the movie is about like I normally would here. It's a Ju-On/Grudge movie and they are all relatively the same. I found myself thinking "I've seen this before" or "This is exactly like some other movie." Ju-On 2 is like a ripoff of The Eye/The Eye 2 and Shutter. Compared to the first Ju-On, this movie was pretty bad.

I don't really know what else to say about Ju-On 2. I had high hopes and they weren't met so I'm left wanting more, enough said. I'm happy it's part of my collection but if I didn't own it I probably wouldn't buy it. Well, I might just because I plan on owning as many J-Horrors (well, horror movies in general) as I can!

My Rating: 3/5
Ginger

Devil

Director: John Erick Dowdle

Rated: PG-13

Universal Pictures: December 21, 2010

80 Minutes

From Amazon:
Trapped in an elevator high above Philadelphia, five people discover that the Devil is among them – and no one can escape their fate. This chilling, supernatural thriller from M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs) will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to a heart-stopping ending with a truly wicked twist.

The first time I watched 'Devil' I was expecting it to be a lot more...scary? I was a little disappointed but I have to admit, it's really not that bad. For a movie that takes place almost entirely in an elevator, it's pretty good. And I think it's scary on a psychological lever more than a "make you jump" level. Just think about being one of the last two people on the elevator, knowing you aren't the killer and how scared you'd be! Crazy, right?

So, this movie is basically this random group of people who get trapped in an elevator and every time the lights go out, one of them dies....I don't think there's really that much else to say about it haha. There isn't anything scary that happens or a lot of gore or anything. It's just people in an elevator...and the police trying to figure out who they are and what happened.

I don't think Devil was a terrible movie but it wasn't one of my favorites. Considering what it was about, it was pretty good. But it is a little slow at times and I can see how people might get border watching it. I haven't purchased this one yet (I watched it on Show Time) but I probably will add it to my collection.

My Rating: 4/5
Ginger

The Fourth Kind

Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi

Rated: PG-13

Universal Studios: March 16, 2010

98 Minutes

From Amazon:
In remote Alaska, citizens have been mysteriously vanishing since the 1960s. Despite multiple FBI investigations, the truth behind the phenomena had never been discovered—until now. While videotaping therapy sessions with traumatized patients, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) unwittingly exposes terrifying revelations of multiple victims whose claims of being visited by alien figures all share disturbingly identical details. Based on actual case studies, The Fourth Kind uses Dr. Tyler’s never-before-seen archival footage alongside dramatic reenactments to present the most disturbing evidence ever documented in this provocative thriller critics are calling “terrifyingly real…The most shocking alien abduction movie to date.”

I know that a lot of people really didn't like this movie. Of course, by now, we all know that means I really liked it! I think I've watched it like 3 times or something....I don't even really know. But my favorite types of movies seem to be the ones that either everyone hates or that are like "lost tapes" type of movies. So, this is like a 2 in 1 for me! I also really like Milla Jovovich.

So the movie is supposed to be real videos of Dr. Abigail Tyler and her struggle of trying to convince everyone of what is going on where she lives. Her husband was killed right beside her in bed and she can't remember anything about it besides the murder. She is sincerely convinced that there are alien abductions going on and (because she's a psychiatrist) she's surrounded by all the chaos that ensues. She's the one treating all the people who are "having trouble sleeping."

The movie is a mix of "real" footage and actor portrayals. The actor parts are supposed to be Dr. Abigail's recounts of what happened.There are just some small mixed in parts where they combine the two for a more dramatic effect. Overall, I thought it was a good movie. I definitely think it's worth checking out. You can buy it pretty cheap now. I got it for like $4 at Blockbuster one time.

My Rating: 4/5
Ginger

White Noise

Director: Geoffrey Sax

Rated: PG-13

Universal Studios: May 17, 2005

98 Minutes

From Amazon:
A man believes he is receiving messages from his dead wife via electronic devices with instructions to save the people who are about to die.

I was out doing some shopping a while back and I ended up at this store called Big Lots. And they had this whole bin full of like $2 movies. White Noise just happened to be one of the many that I found in there and I thought, at $2 a piece, why not? White Noise wasn't really what I expected or remembered. For some reason I thought it was much, much better than what it was this time around. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't great either.

It's about this guy...played by Micheal Keaton but I can't remember his characters name right now. So his wife dies and then some guy tells him about EVP's and his wife reaching out to him. So he becomes like obsessed with the idea of his wife contacting him from the dead. I think that about sums it up. Some people die and things but nothing overly scary or anything.

I guess if you wanted to see it you could but if you didn't watch it you wouldn't be missing anything. It's not spectacular but, like I said, it was $2. I guess you can't really go wrong for $2 right?

My rating: 3/5
Ginger

Jennifer's Body

Director: Karyn Kusama

Rated: R

20th Century Fox: December 29, 2009

102 Minutes

From Amazon:
Sexy temptress Megan Fox is hotter than hell as Jennifer, a gorgeous, seductive cheerleader who takes evil to a whole new level after she’s possessed by a sinister demon. Steamy action and gore galore ensue as the male student body succumbs to Jennifer's insatiable appetite for human flesh. Now it’s up to her best friend (Amanda Seyfried) to stop Jennifer's reign of terror before it's too late!

I think that 'Jennifer's Body' is generally hated by like everyone I know. But I sincerely liked it. I thought it was good and I've watched it a few times. Even though Megan Fox looks like a sloppy kisser and it makes me want to puke, it was still a good movie. I like Amanda Seyfried, which I've said before, and she plays a great role in this film. I think the story line was good, everything about the movie adds up, and I didn't feel like there were any gaps or anything.

'Jennifer's Body' is about this chick named Needy. Her best friend falls victim to some crazy, demonic, ritualistic type of stuff by some amateur band people. So after...whatever happens she goes on this crazy killing spree because she has to feed on people so she can stay young and beautiful looking. I don't really want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it and wants to so I won't say anything else about it.

I thought that 'Jennifer's Body' was a great movie. Like I said, everything adds up, there aren't any plot holes that I noticed. I think it's definitely worth watching and I'm glad that it's part of my collection. It's not scary or anything but there is a little bit of gore...I guess. Either way, it's a good movie so just watch it! lol.

My Rating: 5/5
Ginger

Madhouse

Director: William Butler

Rated: R

Lions Gate: February 22, 2005

91 Minutes

From IMdB:
A young psychiatric intern unearths secrets about the mental health facility in which he works.

'Madhouse' and 'High Tension' are both two of some of my favorite movies. I love a good movie that has a crazy twist at the end and this is one of them. I like 'Madhouse' on a few different levels because of a few different reasons but it may not necessarily be a good movie for everyone. I like it because it's twisted and dark. The acting is pretty good...right? Lol. I think that I don't notice things bad with movies that I really like haha.

'Madhouse' takes place in a mental institution. It's about this doctor who is working there for his internship and all the other doctors, security and nurses are like crazy...sort of. They abuse the patients and all that kind of stuff. And there is this major twist at the end of the movie which is super amazing! So, I like that it takes place in a mental hospital because, that's like my dream job. It sounds pretty morbid I guess but I would love to work there and I'm actually going to school to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner. And I like that it has a twist at the end and shows just how bad some of these places can be.

Anyways, I think that 'Madhouse' is awesome and you should definitely check it out. Also, if you haven't seen High Tension, I recommend that one too both are amazing and the same type of movie. I'm probably going to review 'High Tension' soon too so watch out for that. For now, watch 'Madhouse' it's pretty sweet! I'm surprised more people don't know about it...

My Rating: 5/5
Ginger

Final Destination 5

Director: Steven Quale

Rated: R

Warner Bros. Pictures: December 27, 2011

92 Minutes

From Amazon:
Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and in Final Destination 5 it strikes again. During the bus ride to a corporate retreat, Sam (Nicholas D’Agosto) has a premonition in which he and most of his friends — as well as numerous others — die in a horrific bridge collapse. When his vision ends, events begin to mirror what he had seen, and he frantically ushers as many of his colleagues — including his friend, Peter (Miles Fisher), and girlfriend, Molly (Emma Bell) — away from the disaster before Death can claim them. But these unsuspecting souls were never supposed to survive, and in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group tries to discover a way to escape Death’s sinister agenda.

WARNING! There are spoilers in the last paragraph!!! If you haven't seen it, don't read that paragraph!!!

So I haven't really watched all of the 'Final Destination'  movies. But I've seen....this one. And the one with a roller coaster and uhh yeah. I don't understand this one, like it completely confused me. I don't get it so I'm hoping someone can answer some of my questions who is more involved in the movies or at least has seen them all. Overall, it wasn't a bad movie but it was anything special. It's the exact same as all the other movies, some person has a premonition and saves a bunch of people from death and then they all die in a gruesome way in the order they died in the movie.

'Final Destination 5' is about this guy and he saves people from a bridge collapse. The only thing that I really like about the 'Final Destination' movies are the deaths. You can always expect them to be inventive and completely ridiculous...in a good way. Hands down, the deaths are the best part. The thing I liked about this one compared to the other one is that it makes you think the people are going to die one way but then they completely flip it around so it's not what you expect.

Overall, 'Final Destination 5' wasn't terrible but it wasn't amaze-balls either. One of the questions I'd like someone to answer, there is this guy in the movie...he plays the coroner right. And so they ask him what's going on and he's all "You can't cheat death, blah, blah, blah. I've seen this once before!" But then, at the end of the movie, some of the survivors die in the plane crash from the first movie? That confuses me SO much lol. Like, how has he seen it before if this movie is supposed to be before the first movie? I still don't get it. I've never seen the first movie but....I'm still confused...and I don't want to buy it lol. Explanations would be much appreciated!

My Rating: 4/5
Ginger

One Missed Call

Director: Eric Valette

Rated: PG-13

Warner Home Video: April 22, 2008

87 Minutes

From IMdB:
In this remake of the Japanese horror film "Chakushin Ari" (2003), several people start receiving voice-mails from their future selves -- messages which include the date, time, and some of the details of their deaths.

I'm not sure where to really start with this review. Or if I even have that much to say about the movie. I've been sitting here thinking about what to write and that can't be a good thing. I feel like, when you watch a movie you should either be super pumped about it and have tons to write OR super disappointed. So, I guess I'm feeling kind of...neutral towards 'One Missed Call.'

'One Missed Call' is the American remake of a Japanese movie...called 'One Missed Call.' lol. So, it sucks in comparison. I haven't review the Japanese version yet but I've definitely seen it. I'll have to go out this week and buy it so I can review it. While the acting in the American version is good, they just completely mutilated the remake. I'm not a fan but that's not to say it was a complete waste. It still has some alright parts...there is nothing scary or creepy about it though. Which is disappointing.

Overall, the American version of 'One Missed Call' was ok. I definitely could have picked something better to fill my time. You can see it...or not. It really makes no difference but if there is something better (which there is a lot of) definitely watch it first. Don't go out of your way for this one.

My Rating: 3/5
Ginger

Dead Mary

Director: Robert Wilson

235 Films. Unrated. 103 mins.

20 Feb 2007

From IMDb: For Kim it was supposed to be the perfect reunion and weekend getaway. She and her best friends drive to a remote lakeside cabin to reminisce about their college days. When the group decides to play the ghoulish game "Dead Mary" they mistakenly unleash a vengeful spirit that possesses them one by one.


The summary basically tells the movie. We've all heard the tale of kids in a dark bathroom, saying "Bloody Mary" three times, only to have the evil witch appear in the mirror. Well, this movie, basically takes that urban legend and adds a bit of a twist to it.


The movie starts off a bit slow, a beautiful blonde in a car on the side of a wooded road. A guy shows up with cherry cans filled with gas. Before too long, they are on their way, but you can feel the tension between them. They arrive at a cabin and meet up with their friends who are already there.
The movie then slowly drags on, only to find out that everyone is cheating on everyone and while mixing drugs and booze they end up sitting around a fire reminiscing about old times. Before long, it gets suggested they should play "Dead Mary". The newest member of the group asks what that is. They tell her, and then when the guys start mocking the story, they star taking turns going into the bathroom with a candle. Four of the seven go into the bathroom and call up on the spirit. Soon after, strange noises are going through the cabin. 


The action starts pretty quick after this, but the story just takes a dive. The horror effects are near non-existent. Not much blood or gore. It really is a shame, because I think with a better production team/company they really could have made it a good movie. The rest of the movie involves numerous attempts at trying to kill each other, burning bodies, many many shovel attacks. 


I found myself fast forwarding some parts, just to try to find some "action". It really was a long movie, filled with no substance, no horror and just a disappointment really. 
Sorry to say, but Dead Mary only gets 2/5.

Bidding you bloody nightmares,

Nyx

The Devil Inside

Director: William Brent Bell

Rated R  83 Mins.

January 6, 2012 (Canadian theatres)

From IMDb: In Italy, a woman becomes involved in a series of unauthorized exorcisms during her mission to discover what happened to her mother, who allegedly murdered three people during her own exorcism.

"No Soul Is Safe" is the tagline given for this new movie. I have been a fan of these types of movies ever since seeing The Exorcist when I was 14 years old. Over the years, there have been numerous movies based on the subject of possession and satanism.

What makes this one different? Well, it's filmed in the sense of being a documentary. A lot of "behind the camera" angles make up the majority of the film. I first saw the preview Christmas Eve actually, and knew I had to see this movie. I went last weekend to see it and despite the length of the movie and the near empty theatre, I enjoyed it.

Since this is a movie, still in theatres, I will refrain from giving too many details or key parts in it. I will say, the movie starts off on a high note, suspenseful and even giving you a tiny jump in your seat. My friend who went with me, said she found it very slow at first; however, I found it was paced well for the theme of the movie.

In a nutshell, the main character is on the hunt to locate her mother who was moved to Italy. She is "documenting" everything, so you are behind the camera lens interviewing people and seeing the action unfold. With a few little twists, the main character is then thrown into the full blow action of a real exorcism. The effects are without large amounts of blood, guts and gore and replaced with gruesome, bone cracking positions of the sick.

The movie progresses fairly quick after the exorcism scene. I also found the 83 minutes went fairly quick. Fast forward to the end of the movie, and, you are still left with many answers. I have read reviews stating that the ending upset people, and I witnessed a few guys in my theatre angered by the ending. Before the credits roll, a website address is flashed on the screen, encouraging people to check it out and continue the search for answers.

Overall, I would have to say, it was entertaining. Not the best horror movie out there, but I really don't think that is what the director was going for. It did remind me of movies like Quarantine and The Blair Witch Project (not storyline, but the way the movie was made).

If you are looking for a movie that could open you up to believing that possession could happen, this would be a good choice. I am going to rate this an 4/5.

Bidding you bloody nightmares,

Nyx

Apollo 18

Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego

Rated: PG-13

The Weinstein Company: December 27, 2011

88 Minutes

From Amazon:
Officially, Apollo 17, launched December 7, 1972, was the last manned mission to the moon. But two years later, in December of 1974, two American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. What you are about to see is the actual footage which the astronauts captured on that mission. While NASA denies its authenticity, others say it’s the real reason we’ve never gone back to the moon.

For an 88 minute film, this movie seemed much longer! I don't usually bash on peoples work so I'm going to try not to here but...well, that might be a little too hard not to do. I hated this movie. Hated it. And I knew I would from the moment it started. I'm a big "found footage" movie fan. I'd happily watch Paranormal Activity any day of the week. However 'Apollo 18' I couldn't watch again to save my life! Ok, that's not true but you get the point. I'm warning you now, if you haven't seen it, SPOILERS!

So, this movie is about these three guys that go to the moon on a secret mission. They can't tell their families or anything. So the movie is super boring in the beginning. I actually almost contemplated turning it off 5 minutes in. Anyways, two guys on the moon and some other dude is like...orbiting around it waiting for them. So the two guys on the moon are doing...space things. And then all of a sudden there is a dead Russian....and a Russian ship. So scary......And then, OMG there are killer....rocks? WHAT? lol. Ok? So, it was lame. rocks...yup. These people must have had a HUGE budget...I mean rocks...those are pretty rare right?

Needless to say, this movie sucks. And although I only paid $1.20 for it at Redbox, I'd still like my $1.20 back. In all fairness I jumped at one part....and it wasn't even scary it was just the two guys fooling around and one of them scares the other. Scariest part in the entire film. I'm very interested to hear what other people thought of 'Apollo 18' so if you've seen it, please comment and let me know!

My Rating: 2/5
Ginger

Leprechaun

Director: Mark Jones

Rated: R

Lions Gate: August 25th, 1998

92 Minutes

From IMdB:
An evil, sadistic Leprechaun goes on a killing rampage in search of his beloved pot of gold.

So, I noticed today that on TV there is a Leprechaun movie marathon. I just got done watching the first Leprechaun movie and I'm about to start the second. So I thought it was a prefect time to write reviews for them! I actually forgot how much I love the Leprechaun movies until I started watching them again today haha. I don't know why I don't own them but I clearly need to. Warwick Davis is amazing and has been in a few of my most loved movies!

So Leprechaun is about....a leprechaun. The basic story line is that someone steals his pot of gold and then he goes on a murderous rampage looking to get it back. He has some very inventive ways of killing people, which always makes for a good time. The Leprechaun movies are classics and if you haven't seen them, you should.

The Leprechaun movies are consistent, for the most part. They all have Warwick Davis as the Leprechaun unlike some other movie franchises. The kills are almost always different. The first movie also has Jennifer Aniston in it...which could be a plus or a minus depending on how you look at it. Also, the acting isn't terrible. Which is a definitely a positive haha.

My Rating: 5/5
Ginger

Resident Evil

Director: Paul W. S. Anderson

Rated: R

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment: July 30, 2002

100 Minutes

From IMDb:
A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident.

I decided to write a review for the Resident Evil moviessss because there is a new game coming out this year (which I fully intend on buying) and because I feel like they get a lot of bad reviews and I love them! I know I can't be called a die hard Resident Evil fan or anything but I do love both the games AND the movies. A lot of people want to make comparisons between the games and movies but I try to not look at it that way. I try to look at it as it's own thing, completely separate from the games. Maybe that's what lets me love them so much lol.

I don't really feel the need to write about what 'Resident Evil' is about because if you haven't seen it, then you've been living under a rock! Anyways, lets cover the basics. It's a movie about zombies. Yup. Mingled among these zombies are super genius computers, the infamous Alice (played by Milla Jovovich. I can't pronounce her last name but I have fun trying), and all of the bloodshed and mayhem takes place underground in a secret facility known as 'The Hive.'

I love things that most people hate and, I don't like to admit it but, a lot of people hate the Resident Evil movies. So it should really be no surprise that I love them. The only thing that really prompted this review was the fact that I'm planning on buying the movies on Blu-Ray this week so I thought, I haven't written a review in a long time, so why not? Overall, I loved 'Resident Evil.' What's not to love? Zombies, mutated animals, blood, zombies, Milla Jovovich, did I mention zombies?

My Rating: 5/5
Ginger