Change Your Image
NukeCalifornia
Reviews
Nix (2022)
Not that bad.
This is not so much of horror but a psychological drama. Although some of the plot and characters appear a bit disjointed, the mood took me through the whole movie. Good performance from Dee Wallace. For me it was the concept of loss, how different persons handled it and the demons within each of us. The creature was probably a metaphor for this and it had a good ending with the acceptance of things no matter how tragic. For all its loopholes I enjoyed this movie just for the idea of how people coped with their mental health and coming to terms with loss and trying to move on. This movie would have been better off as drama with those plot holes and characters improved.
Werewolf by Night (2022)
Bad Wolf Bad
What did I just watch? A dull, black and white supposedly homage to classic horror movies. It is not and it is an embarrassment to those classics. All I saw was a bunch of funny-looking actors trying to move with a non-existent plot. Thank the full moon it was short. All those positive reviews are a joke and are either bots or people who get a kick out of lame movies. I'm giving it a 1/10 although it deserves a 0/10. 2022 will go down as the year of terrible movies. This movie is not the darker side of Marvel, it is the dumbest side of Marvel. Do yourself a favor, if you want to be bored to death, watch this dog.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Another yawning movie
Oh, here we go again. Another waste of time and money. Instead of trying to be original it turned out to be another mindless movie with unlikable characters. They could have cut down the running time to 5 minutes just showing the dumb cast getting slashed. That would be better than this yawner. I just could not stand to watch the whole thing. I just wish someone would make a decent horror movie for once rather than this drivel. The only redeeming quality is watching some of the cast getting offed. So, I am running out of words to describe this movie. Take my advice and go watch the original movie.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022)
Just....bad
With unlikable characters, terrible acting, and a plot so lame it belongs in Shady Pines Retirement Home, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is nothing like the original. I was rooting for the Creeper to kill everyone- including the movie's Director and Writers (surely I jest). I am now of the firm belief that movies are as vapid and empty as it can be. The unfortunate thing is more movies like this will be made helping to kill what little brain cells are left. My advice to you is to believe every negative review of this movie and stay far, far away from it. Or if you want to save your sanity and money go watch the original Jeepers Creepers.
Wrong Turn (2021)
Terrible
With elements of diversity and wokeness and even without it it is bad. I was rooting for the bad guys. Even with attempts at violence via rapid stabbing it was pointless.
Hotaru no haka (1988)
An excellent film that left me in tears.
I have no choice but to give this animated masterpiece a 10 out of 10. I had never seen it when it came out and decided to get it. I had heard it was very sad, so I knew it might not be a kiddies movie. But boy was I taken on an emotional overdrive! The story so compelling about a young boy and his little sister trying to stay alive in war-torn Japan changed the way I feel about war and children as a whole. Any movie that could bring about such a profound change in me will forever be in the upper echelons in my favorite movie collection. Kudos to every single person involved in making the movie. The story so deep and the sadness even deeper. And even sadder still is that it happened during those dark years and still happening now.
The Conjuring (2013)
A let down of a movie (minor spoilers)
I went to see The Conjuring today and I was disappointed. Having seen so many horror movies I guess I am jaded. Three-quarters of the film was filled with cheap scares- doors opening and closing, creaking this and that. It resembled a cheap rip-off of The Amityville Horror and The Shining. Only the loudness of these effects made some people jump- and that was just volume. Having said that the only redeeming quality was the last part of the movie- during the possession of the Mother.. Even if these manifestations really occurred at least the writers could have injected some artistic freedom and make it more spooky. If this was based on true accounts, then real horror is pretty boring.
Attack the Block (2011)
Pure garbage
The only thing Attack The Block revealed is the moral decline of British youth. Maybe a dumb plot and terrible 'aliens' may be others. Hearing a little boy use foul language isn't cool and maybe that's how it is over there. Anyway, it did have it's moments, most of them laughable and a good cocktail to put you to sleep, which was what I really wanted. The creatures looked like apes with florescent eyes and teeth, and the FX people made sure they were shadowed so you probably couldn't see their terrible work. I watched this on cable and suffering from insomnia. Thank you, this movie managed to put me into a blessed coma.
Excision (2012)
Surprisingly Good
First I thought this movie would be purely splatter and gore but it turned out to be quite good yet tragic film. AnnaLynne McCord and Traci Lords gave strong performances that really carried the movie, particularly Lords who successfully left the Adult Industry and became a credible actress. I mentioned it was tragic as I really felt for the family struggling with a delusional elder daughter and a dying younger one. Kudos to the makeup artist(s) who worked on McCord making her character (Pauline) look like a really out-of-sorts teenager. There were scenes (in the Unrated version) where a lot of blood was involved coupled with some perverted scenes, but it worked in looking inside the mind of Pauline.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
This movie deserves to be shot....in the head!
What can I say? Again, another nonsensical movie. What started out as just another teen horror movie descended into a totally mind-numbing, makes-no-sense-film. None of the characters were likable. The cheap sex shots deserved a yawning and the whole plot was more convoluted than all the Matrix movies put together. Even Thor and Signorney Weaver could not put this Humpty Dumpty film together. The idea of an ancient god needing a sacrifice to prevent it from destroying the Earth? Come on, it was not even interesting enough to make it 'unique'. The only redeeming quality was when the creatures and monsters had their feast on the scientists. So my 3 stars The Cabin in The Woods was given, and that was way too liberal for what it really deserved.
Scalene (2011)
Great Indie movie!
When I first saw Scalene, I left the viewing with a big WOW!. Great independent film and kudos to the director, producer, writer and actors for a simple yet well arranged movie. The reverse story technique was a nice touch. Personally, I'm tired of those so-called mega-bucks movies made up of plenty of effects and little story to them. I found sympathy for the all the characters, particularly Paige, who went to lengths to do the things she had to do. The only thing I have some issues about is the ending, it could have totally been done full circle. I recommend Scalene for those who wish to leave the beaten path of Hollywood movies to enjoy a great piece of film-making.
Tape 407 (2012)
Uncomfortable and annoying to watch
**Contains Spoilers**
This movie is BAD and I mean it. From the shaky camera shots to the annoying voices it made for one bad movie experience. The acting is funny. The Air Marshall that was supposed to be an American with an American accent, actually sounded like Australian. I guess the actress who played the part gave up trying to convince us- so much for suspending disbelief. Right away one who knows a little about dinosaurs could have guessed that Velociraptors and a T-Rex were the predators. The makeup was overdone and not very good. Please, if you must watch this movie, leave your brain at the door and don't bother going back to collect it.
The House of the Devil (2009)
Avoid at all costs
This movie was simply terrible! 90 per cent of the film was one long drawn out piece of boredom that consisted of the female lead roaming around in a house. The result had me nodding off. The throwback to the 80s was evident only by the two tracks (good ones by the way by The Greg Kihn Band and The Fixx). The movie was not original- babysitter and a devil cult. The movie missed that all important thread of suspense that could have held the movie together but failed. The head shot of the lead's friend in the car and probably the last 15 minutes were the only redeeming qualities of this movie. If you have time to waste or suffer from insomnia, this movie is for you.
The New World (2005)
Beautiful film
Having been pleasantly surprised that this film did not have the usual Disney-like take on it, I watched with full attention and in the end left feeling that I had just watched a beautifully-made movie. The love story was honest as it was innocent and Q'Orianka Kilcher's portrayal as Pocahontas was brilliant for someone that slipped under my radar of rising young stars. Her character portrayal reflects the innocence of a young indigenous Indian and also the transformation into a western cultured lady. Colin Farrel and Christian Bale also added great performances. I highly recommend this film and it will definitely make its way into my personal movie collection.
When a Stranger Calls (2006)
Disappointing
I actually saw this on cable and glad I didn't go to see it on the big screen. First off I didn't see the original and about a quarter through this remake I realized how lack-luster it really was. The expected scares didn't deliver. The suspense just wasn't there and I've seen quite a few suspense movies. Camilla Belle, ironically, is the only redeeming factor here. However, not for her acting. She came off as if she was really reading from a script, minus any realistic emotions. Particularly when she speaks to the stranger on the phone. Her looks was what made me watch the movie until the end. There wasn't much background on the 'stranger' at all. The atmosphere and settings didn't add much to the suspense either. I'd feel much safer in a modern home than in the middle of a swamp. So, in essence 'When A Stranger Calls' is just a really bad B-Movie with a gorgeous protagonist with less-than-stellar acting abilities, a vacuous antagonist and a budget that could have been better spent. I recommend 'The Hand That Rocks The Cradle' or the original 'Psycho' for a good suspense movie.