REVIEW: Insidious: Chapter 3

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (via IMDB) A prequel set before the haunting of the Lambert family that reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

THE PRO'S: Excellent storytelling, characters, acting, and writing. Very, very scary and atmospheric.

THE CON'S: None I can give away without spoiling it.

THE REVIEW:

So first of all, this segment has a guest review from a friend of mine, Chris! So before I go into my review, allow me a minute to share his thoughts! :D :

I have never seen the first two of this movie series and after seeing chapter 3 I greatly enjoyed it haven't been so scared since the conjuring. Great mix of horror and suspense. Love the bit of comedy in the film. I think the best part was I did not see it alone movies like need to be enjoyed with friends. I will now have to watch both part one and two for sure now.

----------------------------

Now onto my review...

I'll make no secret of it, I love the Insidious movies. They're great ghost stories with some awesome characters, and great scares. So going into the third one, I wondered just how they could possibly top 1 or 2. I must say they did so, and they did it well.

Chapter 3 actually takes us back in time. An unspecified amount of time before the events of the first film, psychic Elise, is trying to get over the death of her husband, and a horrific entity that has scared her out of her line of work. All this changes when, out of the blue, a young woman named Quinn Brenner ends up on her doorstep trying to contact her dead mother. A seemingly harmless event at the time. But what Elise doesn't realize is that soon, Quinn makes contact with a spirit on her own, and it's definitely not her mother, and threatens her life.

I must say, to start my review off, I think that the smartest thing the creators did was to get rid of the Lambert's. I loved them, but their story didn't really touch the one presented here. Here, I felt a broad connection beyond what I felt for them. And what's more, I found the story ten times more interesting, especially told from a new main point of view: that of a teenager.

And the teenager that carries the film, Stefanie Scott is one great little actress. Not only was this a hard undertaking, going from Disney to basically carrying half a horror film, but she does it in stride. Good on the creators for taking on an actress that may not be a big name, but who definitely has the acting chops this movie needed. But of course, the entire cast holds its own. Especially, the amazing Lin Shaye. Who once again wows as Elise, who is at the top of her game here and is just a complete and utterly awesome hero.

What amazed me most about the cast though is just how well they meshed. The chemistry between everyone in this movie is undeniable. I really felt like they were not playing parts, and everyone gave their absolute all. While Scott and Shaye took the spotlight, don't get me wrong, you'll find top-notch acting from everyone in this movie.

The story this time around is absolutely solid too. I was really intrigued by how this film dealt with loss and guilt in many forms. With a heavy message of how to move on with your life after death, and find the courage to go on. Though most of the time, a demon isn't included in this problem, it none-the-less merges horror and grief excellently. And thus I reiterate, it was an absolute treat that blew the first two stories out of the water.

But the real question is, is it scary? And let me tell you, it is. For a first time director, Leigh Wannell knows how to build suspense. And he does it with such grace and style it was hard for me to tell that this was even his first time. All the scares are effective, and even jump scares are used excellently. It's all just awesome and really makes this one hell of a good time.

So all in all...

IN CONCLUSION:

Insidious: Chapter 3 is the ultimate chapter in this horror trilogy. (so far) With an awesome story, acting, writing, and characters, this is the one that is NOT to be missed. If you love the original, or are just a new viewer, everyone should find something to love!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS



YOUTUBE REVIEW: Don't Look In The Basement

DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (Youtube)

RATED: R

RATING: ***/*****

SYNOPSIS: (Via IMDB) Nurse Charlotte Beale arrives at the isolated Stephens Sanitarium to work, only to learn that Dr. Stephens was murdered by one of the patients and his successor, Dr. Geraldine Masters, is not very eager to take on new staff. Charlotte finds her job maddeningly hard as the patients torment and harass her at every turn, and she soon learns why Dr. Masters is so eager to keep outsiders out.

THE PRO'S: VERY eerie, some actually good performances, oozes cheesy 70s fun, likable lead characters.

THE CON'S:  Other performances are hit-or-miss, hasn't aged well, opening is cringe-worthy

THE REVIEW:

Now, this is one I've meant to look at for a while. And though it's not my favorite 70s movie like I thought it might be, it definitely was a boat-load of fun, and definitely worth a look. If only to see one of the creepiest premises I've ever seen play out.

The movie follows Charolette Beale, who arrives at Stephen's Sanitorium following the accidental death of the head doctor. Put to work as a nurse, she soon learns the patients run free, and becomes at-odds with new head doctor Geraldine Masters. What Charolette doesn't realize however, is the pressure of the new job is the least of her worries as the chaos surrounding the asylum begins to escalate.

On the surface, DLITB is just your run of the mill 70s grindhouse film. But while it is in a lot of ways, the movie also has a lot going for it. Mainly, its awesome atmosphere. Though the opening is really, really silly and off-putting the rest of the movie is the opposite. From the title card to end the movie creates a sense of dread and tension that simply is unsettling and disturbing. And I found myself very much on edge throughout. 

What's more, the characters within the movie are so much fun. With Masters, Charolette, and Sam (a labotomy patient with the mind of a child) all being well-acted, written, and their portrayals very solid. While a lot of the other actors are hit-or-miss, in the case of these three, they carry the movie excellently. And while most other actors don't do a very good job, I have to say, each character has a very distinct voice. And while it is very cheesy sometimes, each is just likable and crazy enough for me to  enjoy them.

The story itself is cheesy seventies fun, it's nothing deep, but it is scary. And for that matter, the movie has a plethora of twists to keep things interesting, and the viewer on their toes. The only thing I do want to add here is that many aspects of the film's story show it hasn't aged well, sadly. And though it is still fun to watch, some things just wouldn't sit right in present day, and therefore the movie is best viewed as a period piece.

The last thing of note to say is that I really enjoyed this movie, like I really, really enjoyed it. And if nothing else, I recommend it to horror fans because it's just a movie that you can really get into. It's equal parts funny (for the wrong reasons) and scary enough that it makes for a fun popcorn flick on a quiet night.

And so....

IN CONCLUSION:

Don't Look in the Basement is A LOT of fun. It's a very flawed movie, but its atmosphere and likability both character and story-wise saves it from being anything "bad". If you're into fun, cheesy, sometimes eerie old horror movies, give it a look. And if you like this one, a sequel is on the way from the original director's son, later this year!

3 OUT OF 5 STARS
RECOMMENDED

 YOU CAN SEE THE MOVIE NOW BY CLICKING THE PLAYER BELLOW: 

AMAZON INSTANT-VIDEO REVIEW: The Guest

THE GUEST 

RELEASE DATE: AVAILABLE NOW (DVD, BLU RAY, ON-DEMAND)

RATED: R

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (VIA IMDB) A soldier introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence.

THE PRO'S: Fun, fast-paced, action packed, full of suspense, darkly humerous, great character development.

THE CON'S: Somewhat dull set of parents, slightly ridiculous plot points.

THE REVIEW:

So after hearing some really good things about this film, I decided to finally check it out. Especially given the director is attached to one of the American  adaptations of one of my favorite stories: Death Note. And I am so, so glad I gave this interesting little thriller a chance.

 The Guest tells the story of the Peterson family, who receives an unexpected "Guest" at their door. The man, David, claims to be a friend of their son who was killed in action. And while David appears charming and charismatic, underneath it all lies a dark, dangerous secret that sends the life of the family's eldest daughter into a tailspin of chaotic proportions.

Now while The Guest might seem like a run-of-the-mill horror movie, I can assure you it's not. Actually, from the get-go the film is an intense, slow-burn thriller that pulls you in deeper and deeper as it goes on. This is thanks to some masterful storytelling from both the director and writer, who bring a mystique and excellent level of suspense to it. Both aspects here are absolutely seamless and give this movie serious bonus points.

But even moreso, the driving force of the movie is the performances by lead actors Dan Stevens and Maika Monroe. Having seen both only  a few times before, the more I saw them in this movie, the more convinced I became that they are destined to be future stars. Dan Stevens portrayal of David is fantastic, finding an excellent balance between cunning psychopath and likable stud. While Maika's performance as the eldest daughter is believable and intense.

On the downside, one flaw the movie DOES have is that the parents are not well cast at all. And I would say even bring down some of the better performances in the movie when  two of its main stars are not doing a good job. But that's okay, they are simply two bad apples in a fantastic bunch, after all.

The way the story moves along is another huge plus for me. Not only did the movie keep me on my toes, but it's unique blend of action sequences and horror movie suspense simply rocked. The movie, even when there's nothing outright "bad" happening it, manages to create an excellent amount of tension and ultimately works better than most action-thrillers in theaters these days, at least for me.

That said, there are some fairly silly plot points that ultimately could have been much better handled. A few things had me shaking my head, and just felt like they were pushing things a little too far. It was this reason I ultimately could not give this movie a perfect score. Simply put it needed to shed these bits for me to feel it's worthy of that.

This said, overall...

IN CONCLUSION:

The Guest is a smart, fun action-thriller that is well worth the look. With excellent writing and direction, as well as performances from the two main stars. I cannot recommend it enough.

 4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

REVIEW: Avengers: Age of Ultron

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

 SUMMARY: (Via-IMDB) When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for a global adventure.

THE PRO'S: Stunning special effects, awesome use of its characters, absolutely complete and utter fun, fantastic use of its villain

THE CON'S: Some plot points seem unecessary.

THE REVIEW:

Ah, Marvel Movies, how I love thee. It's no secret I'm a huge superhero film fan, so I have been extremely pumped to see this movie. Not even some lackluster reviews could deter me, and I'm glad they didn't because this movie was just AWESOME.

NOTE: If you haven't been following these movies, the synopsis for this movie DOES contain spoilers for previous films in the series. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

The film picks up sometime after the events of "The Winter Soldier". The Avengers, now a fully functioning team, have just come off hunting down the remnants of HYDRA and Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are hard at work on a peacekeeping program: "Ultron". Unfortunately, their use of Loki's Sceptar from the first film to jumpstart the program has unforeseen consequences. And now, a self-aware, and extremely twisted "Ultron" has been unleashed upon the world, beginning a new struggle for our heroic team. 

ANY SPOILERS FOR THE UNIVERSE END HERE. The review for the movie itself is SPOILER-FREE both for the movie and the universe.

What results is a fun, action-packed thrill ride that totally kicked so much butt. I think this movie definitely topped the original for me for a few reasons. And one of them is that as a villain, Ultron is absolutely awesome. I genuinely love his attitude and his character, played by the great James Spader, is well-acted and done. As much as I love Loki, he is also the most formidable and interesting of the characters the Avengers have faced, and I think he even upped the ante and stakes to a point that made it awesome.

And that's another thing this movie gets right: the new kids on the block. With a movie that introduces SO many key players into the mix: Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Vision, it does them all so well. All three are given an excellent amount of screen-time, and each is developed so well you can't help but love them all. This film even managed to finally make a Scarlet Witch fan out of me, despite my "meh"-ness at her in the past. She was probably my favorite new character in the movie, followed by Quicksilver, and Vision. 

As far as acting goes, everyone gave great performances. I was especially impressed with Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who both pull off believable Russian accents and superb acting in their roles as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Everyone else gives off the same, well-done performances we are all no doubt used to. While Jeremy Renner, who is given FAR more to do here as Hawkeye continues to impress as an actor and make great strides.

But of course, the biggest part of the movie is the action. And does  it deliver? Oh yes, it DEFINITELY delivers! The movie is action-packed from beginning to end, with some amazing acton sequences and special effects abound. You're sure to love it if you're an action fan, there's plenty of it, and the effects only add to it.

The only minor complaint I have, without giving spoilers, is that some plot points seem forced or silly. There aren't many, but there are moments that just seem off or sort of like "Why do you need to be in here though?". But they are few and far between and easily overlooked at least.

So....

IN CONCLUSION:

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" is yet another hit from Marvel! It's a fun, action-packed, well written, and acted summer blockbuster. I will definitely be excited to see what Marvel brings next in Ant-Man and Phase 3!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

ON-DEMAND REVIEW: The Sisterhood of Night

THE SISTERHOOD OF NIGHT
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (On-Demand)

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (via-IMDB) When Emily Parris exposes a secret society of teenage girls who have slipped out of the world of social media and into another world they've discovered in the woods at night. When she accuses the girls of committing sexually deviant activities, Emily sends the small American town into a atmosphere of hysteria and the national media spotlight. The mystery deepens when each of the accused girls upholds a vow of silence. 

 

THE PRO'S: Surprisingly deep story, exceptional acting and writing, very good social commentary, original, and most of all a great mystery.

 

THE CON'S: This movie has no cons. In fact I'd say everything about it makes it a MUST-SEE.

 

THE REVIEW:

The movie I am about to review may just be one of my favorite films of all time. I did not expect what I was in for when I finally sat down to watch it, but it looked great. But it ended up being more than great, it ended up being simply FANTASTIC.

 

The Sisterhood of Night tells the story of four girls: Mary, Lavinia, Catherine, and Emily. The former three are part of, and form a group known as "The Sisterhood of Night", while Emily is an outsider who desires to be a part of them. When a bitter Emily leaks the secret society to the town, it has startling effects of Witch Trial-porportions which sends their lives, and the lives of those around them into a chaotic tailspin.

 

Now I knew very little about this film going into it, never having read the short story it's based on, and only hearing about it here and there. But I am so glad this piqued my interest because it's just so good. First of all, the story is absolutely fantastic. It's presented very well and told in a way that both intrigued and fascinated me. And for a movie that definitely is not a horror film, it definitely created some fantastic suspense as well.

 

The performances that drive this movie are fabulous as well. I can see that each girl starring in this movie will most certainly have a long, illustrious career ahead of them if they keep this up. By far, I am stunned by Georgie Henley, who played Lucy in Narnia. Her performance here was by far the best in the movie, with her leading the group of actresses perfectly. She has grown into a beautiful young woman, and a force to be reckoned with acting wise. While Kara Hayward, Willa Cuthrell, and Olivia Dejonge all knock it out of the park as well. Bringing out performances that are both very real, and also very intense.

 

By far, the best part of this movie as I said before, however, is the sense of mystery. It's been a long time since I really felt so stumped about a movie as I was here. With each passing moment, I had a new idea of what The Sisterhood of Night may be up to in the woods. And when the answer is finally given, it was done so wonderfully, and shocked me on many levels. The pay-off for the mystery is fantastic, and well worth the journey it takes to get there.

 

But most of all, I want to applaud the writing here. It is by far a movie that really feels authentic with its teenage dialogue and characters. Never once did I find myself saying that a teenager wouldn't say this or do that, I felt like these were real kids that I could have gone to high school with. And I think that's a huge reason why this movie can resonate with everybody on some level.

 

Finally, I have to say that the message of this movie is one that truly needs to be put out there. It may be a simple message, but it's one that especially teens need to learn as they go into high school. And even some adults (if you ask me). And thus, if nothing else, have your teens watch this so they can hopefully absorb the message.

 

I could keep going, but instead, I'll wrap up my review by saying...

 

IN CONCLUSION: 

 

The Sisterhood of Night is a masterwork. Equal parts mysterious, sad, moving, and intriguing there is something for everyone to be found here. A great flick to watch, and definitely one that sends a good, well-needed message. If you get the chance, check this one out, you won't regret it.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

DVD REVIEW: The Babadook

THE BABADOOK

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (DVD)

RATED: R

RATING: *****/*****

WORTH BUYING?: If you have the money, yes. If not, this movie is also on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. I recommend watching it there before buying, just in case you for some reason don't enjoy it.

SPECIAL EDITION?: There is a special limited edition BLU RAY out that has a slip case with a pop up page.

THE PRO'S: Extremely eerie and unsettling story, great acting and writing, superb use of its titular villain, genuinely scary movie. If you're looking for a movie scary enough to give you nightmares, this is the one.

THE CON'S: Some of the more disturbing subject matter makes this not a movie for everyone.

THE REVIEW:

So, by now, I'm guessing most people have heard of this movie. It's a little hit movie out of Australia that has made waves in the industry. And I'm here to assure you all that it is for good reason, and that this gem of a movie is without a doubt worth all the acclaim it can get.

The film focuses on a widowed mother, Amelia, who finds a disturbing children's book known as "Mr Babadook" among her son, Samuel's children's books. What she initially finds as just a twisted storybook, and casts aside, however, takes a sinister turn as mysterious things happen around her home. Could Mr. Babadook be as real as the book makes it out to be? If it is, it could spell doom for them both.

The movie plays out as probably one of the best "monster horrors" I have seen in a while. With a big reason being that unlike 90% of these movies, we never see the monster. A great deal of the movie's suspense actually comes from the fact that "Mr. Babadook" is shrouded in mystery, and it works very much in the movies favor. I don't think I've ever been so afraid of something I couldn't actually see in a movie, and this movie proves that is very possible.

On top of its scare factor, the acting and writing in this movie is TOP NOTCH. With an amazing performance from our lead - Essie Davis. She is probably one of the best actresses I've seen in horror in a long time, just knocking it out of the park scene after scene. Extremely big props also go to the little boy in this movie, Noah Wiseman, who turns out a great role (although admittedly not as great) as her son Samuel. 

But even moreso than the monster, or the acting, the fear factor is what sets this movie apart from anything else (and in the same category as "It Follows"). The sheer feeling of dread and fear this movie creates is absolutely astounding as much as it is unsettling. Even when the movie is not trying to be absolutely terrifying, it still manages to completely unsettle its audience and leave you just WAITING for something to happen.

But by far the best part about The Babadook is how "old school" horror it is. If you're tired of horror movies with tons of gore, or teens running around to their death, this is the movie for you. The Babadook features very little in the way of blood and gore, in favor of its eerie chill factor and keeping it's audience on its toes and on the edge of their seat.

My only warning with this little gem is that it goes into some unsettling and dark subject matter. So be cautioned that some of this might make it NOT a movie for everyone. Even if it's a film I recommend any horror fan watch.  

And so, there's not much more to say other than....

IN CONCLUSION:

The Babadook is the movie that nightmares are made of. If you're looking for a good, chilling old-school horror movie to make you not want to turn off the lights tonight, this is the movie for you. Grab a bowl of popcorn, turn on Netflix, and enjoy this horror gem to the fullest. And remember "If it's in a word, or it's in a look. You can't get rid of The Babadook."

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

THE VAULT OF HORRIBLE HORRORS: Home Sweet Home (1981)

And now for a new type of review. I have fun watching horrible horror movies. So I'm going to start giving these so-bad-it's-good movies their own little thing called "THE VAULT OF HORRIBLE HORRORS" where I will take a look at just HOW bad they are. Starting with...

HOME SWEET HOME (1981)

THE PREMISE:

A psychopath from the local insane asylum escapes, murders a motorist, and randomly makes his way to a family's home on the eve of Thanksgiving. There, he proceeds to cackle like a maniac, and murder a family played by people who basically with the exception of the little girl and father never acted again. (And there was a good reason for that to be honest)

HOW BAD IS IT?: Among bad slasher movies, this is king. If you want any more proof, all you need to know is that the killer spends 90% of the movie just cackling evily, there's literally a character named "MISTAKE" (No, I kid you not), but for some reason I just couldn't turn my eyes away.

NOTABLE FOR: Somehow managing to star a young VINESSA SHAW as the little girl in the movie. Yes, I'm talking about the girlfriend from Hocus Pocus. And also randomly stars the uncle of HAILEE STEINFELD (Yes, from True Grit) as the aforementioned cackling killer.

FUN LEVEL:  VERY HIGH

RECOMMENDED VIEWING METHOD: Get a couple of friends in a chat room, and Youtube it. You'll all have a riot.

MINI-REVIEW:

So a friend of mine and I make a point of watching bad horror movies just for the kicks. And the other night, we put this little gem on. Not only is it hilariously bad, but it also manages to bring some of the best unintentional comedy I have seen in a long time. Namely: "Mistake", I could tell you what Mistake is like, but that would ruin his amazingly hilarious entrance that left me laughing for at least a good five minutes.

Throughout this movie I wondered what it would be like if Hailee Steinfeld ever decided to look up her uncle's work. I can only imagine the look of horror on her face as she saw this opening scene and saw her uncle acting like this:

I found it especially funny that the ending is about fifteen minutes long, and in those fifteen minutes hardly ANYTHING happens. It is literally about ten minutes of them just sitting around to wait out the killer and talking to each other. Cumulating in maybe five minutes of action. During this time, I actually missed Hailee Steinfeld's crazy uncle and his amazingly generic, bad guy laugh.

And so I give this movie a five out of five on the scale of bad movies. If only because just LOL what the hell was anyone thinking greenlighting this film? I mean it was SO BAD that almost none of the cast ever acted again. That is really saying something, even some of the worst movies had more than two stars that did at least one other film in their careers.

DRINKING GAME RECOMMENDATION: Take a shot every time the killer cackles maniacally.