October 26, 2023 “The Quantum Devil” (** out of four) was a sketchily done horror thriller about a group of international scientists (Neil Dickson, Tyler Tackett, and others) who are summoned to a location in Europe to breach a quantum barrier and travel to another dimension but soon find that this has lethal effects on their psyche and stability. Shoddy and silly at first but starts to grow in intrigue as it goes along and does feature some psychedelic imagery and scares, just not enough to sustain a whole film. Continue reading →
October 25, 2023 “Shrapnel” (** out of four) was a detached action melodrama about a former Marine (Jason Patric) and his former war buddy (Cam Gigandet) who team up to go after a Mexican drug cartel after the disappearance of his daughter but soon find that things are about to get really ugly on the sides of the border. Film has the requisite amount of gunplay and violence for genre fans but overcome by a sense of ennui and boredom. Typical one-note performances from Patric and Gigandet don’t help. Similar story to “Taken” and “Rambo: Last Blood” but not up to the artistry of either. Continue reading →
October 23, 2023 “Old Dads” (** out of four) was an uneven comedy melodrama about three middle-aged dads (Bill Burr, Bobby Canavale, Bokeem Woodbine) who find themselves in the midst of a mid-life identity crisis as they try to balance work, parenting, and their ideals. Earnest and likeable performances from the three leads combat a very thin story and a script that varies from amusing to endearing to crude and dumb at times. Comedian Burr’s directorial debut and he also co-wrote and produced. Continue reading →
October 23, 2023 “Parable” (*1/2 out of four) was a pointless, predictable horror thriller about a troubled preacher (Michael Richard) who accidentally summons an evil demon and has to try to keep it contained and controlled but there’s a group of friends (Carla Classe, Jan De Wet, and others) who are attempting to set it free. Umpteenth rip-off of “The Exorcist” covers all the expected bases (religious omens, loud shock effects, etc.) with no style and little skill. Somehow, this won some independent horror award festivals in New Orleans and Mexico City. Continue reading →
October 23, 2023 “Cocaine Cougar” (* out of four) was amateur hour about a cougar high on cocaine who escapes an animal testing facility and wrecks havoc on all of Los Angeles while various residents (Dawna Lee Heising, Dustin Ferguson, Melissa Brasselle, and others) try to track him down and put an end to his reign of terror. Obviously inspired by the surprise success of “Cocaine Bear” (as if you couldn’t guess from its title) but this movie is even more crude and stupid. Three different directors are credited for this toothless mess. Continue reading →
October 23, 2023 “The Quachita Beast Incident” (* out of four) was a complete time-waster about a man (Scott F. Macdonald) who goes for a hike in the Arkansas wilderness and is terrorized and mauled by a gigantic Bigfoot and has to utilize all of his survival skills to stay alive. If you’re looking for a movie with little dialogue and endless time watching someone hike, then this is the movie for you. Minimalistic and low-budget (and dull) in the extreme. Continue reading →
October 22, 2023 “Fog City” (** out of four) was a one-note horror thriller about a group of friends (Jonny Beauchamp, Luke Benward, Juliette Goglia, and others) who have to seek shelter when a mysterious fog overtakes their town and turns them all against one another in gory and mischievous ways. Not a remake of “The Fog” but easily could have been since it has essentially the same story. Film is good-looking and proficiently made but never rises above mediocrity. In fairness, though, and come to think of it- this is far better than the 2005 remake of “The Fog.” Continue reading →
October 21, 2023 “Herd” (** out of four) was a glum horror thriller about a young couple (Ellen Adair and Mitzi Akaha) on a vacation in the countryside who find themselves in the midst of a zombie outbreak and an oppressive militia who may be even worse than the zombies. Director Steven Pearce and cinematographer Brennan Full show some promise and beautiful imagery but they’re swallowed up by a storyline and themes that need fresh blood. Guys, it’s time to give the zombie/militia genre a rest because I honestly don’t know much more that can be done with it at this point. Continue reading →
October 21, 2023 “Night Of The Hunted” (*1/2 out of four) was a static horror thriller about a young woman (Camille Rowe) who goes to a gas-station store and is trapped there physically and psychologically by a vindictive sniper (Stasa Stanic) who refuses to let her leave. In-name only remake of Jean Rollin’s pre-AIDS story and also a remake of 2015’s “Night Of The Rat” but the film it may remind you most of is 2003’s “Phone Booth” which was far slicker and more skillful. Rowe tries but film is suspenseless and empty. Continue reading →
October 20, 2023 “In The Shadows” (*1/2 out of four) was a slapdash horror thriller about a young boy (Brooks Roseberry) who is sentenced to a mental institution after violently stabbing his mother to death; 35 years later, he escapes with bloodthirsty revenge on his mind while a series of cops (Michael Pare, Jennifer Banko, and others) and a doctor (Richard Romanus) attempt to apprehend him. Needless rip-off of “Halloween” with some shades of “Friday The 13th” thrown in. Pare ambles his way through his umpteenth role as a cop and one-time horror child icon Banko is wasted as his partner. For lifetime subscribers of Fangoria Magazine only. Continue reading →
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