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Morris (2022)
Enjoyable Ghostly Urban Legend!
Remember the one about the kid who died on the train tracks? He remembers you!
So yeah, I'm a sucker for supernatural slasher flicks, especially ones that follow the revenge angle, and also have a large body count. Morris plays to the drum of most 80's slashers, with the plot closely resembling Prom Night, but with a bit of a twist. Director Brown does a good job of sneaking in bits and pieces of the flashback scenes of Morris, while the group of now grown-ups are getting picked off one by one. Overall the cast was great, and despite being a low budget effort, the film felt organic to the story being told.
I'm a pretty big fan of Director Brown's previous efforts, A Date with Ghosts (2015) and Dark Vale (2018). Out of the three, I think Dark Vale is the strongest, as I'm a huge fan of the overall plot and gothic tone to the storytelling. Morris (at least for me), was missing a bit of that atmosphere, as the look and feel of this movie was very much in the now.
I did have some minor complaints, as there were a few interior scenes that appeared darker to see, while not a huge complaint, it did seem a little distracting. Also, at times it was a bit hard to understand what some of the dialogue was, and I don't know if this was because of the screener I had or just an overall issue, but that too was a bit of a setback. Despite those negatives, there are some great segments out in the surrounding rural area, the wheat field and abandoned junkyard were my favorite scene locations.
But what about the kills? Well, this wasn't one that was overly gory, but the tension established in the setup was well thought out, and I did enjoy a few of the chase scenes. I also enjoyed the look of Morris and that in some scenes he was carrying a knife, that to me added that classic slasher aesthetic.
This one plays pretty much like a routine supernatural slasher, until the last 20 minutes, and then it takes a nice twist that I honestly wasn't expecting. I don't know if I was quit a fan of the overall ending, but I did enjoy the surprises in plot. I'm always glad to see what Director Brown has cooking up his sleeve, and will definitely be checking this one out again upon release, for a second viewing.
Give it a peep, solid 6/10 here
Dismembering Christmas (2015)
Slashy Thrills Await!
My favorite time of the year is approaching, Fall! Sometimes,...(well most of the time), retailers start pulling out the Christmas decorations and candy before we have even gotten through Halloween. So what better way to start prepping for fall/winter holidays, start pulling out the holiday themed horror movies! I think the best part about the cold weather is snuggling up with your lovey and popping in some classic horror movies. As a rabid slasher fan, the Christmas Holiday has influenced some great horror films, I really enjoy 70's and 80's titles like ---> To All A Goodnight, Home for the Holidays, Silent Night Deadly Night, Elves and the ultimate classic, Black Christmas (and I love the remake too...don't judge me!). So what does a slasher movie called 'Dismembering Christmas' have to offer for the "old school" slasher fans, such as myself? Plenty!!!
First, upon watching you may recognize a couple familiar faces and names from the crew of Don't Go to the Reunion (2013), this was what got me excited since I am a huge fan of that film as well as Slasher Studious other releases. Kicking the film off was a pretty awesome cameo from co-writer/executive producer Kevin Sommerfield, I thought it was a great scene and really set the tone for the film. From there we are introduced to eight friends that are traveling to stay in a cabin for the Christmas Holiday, unbeknownst to them there was a few murders years ago and somebody wants to make sure they remember this holiday....cue horror synth!
What was exciting about this film was the chilly setting. Here, you have the cabin out in the sticks with nothing but snow for miles, this already isolates the viewers and sets up a nice dynamic later for some great chase scenes. Speaking of chase scenes, this movie had some great stalk and chase, major thumbs up. From running through treacherous terrain, to having to maneuver through the interiors of the cabin, the hide and seek with this killer was highly effective. Also, there were some really nice pov shots of the interiors of the cabin and the decorations, I immediately thought of Black Christmas as "Billy" made his way throughout the house.
Now, on to the slasher, my favorite part of the film. This killer sports a wicked mask, it kind of reminded me of an interpretation of "Boo Hag" from Canadian Folklore, pale with long dark hair. Armed with a very interesting blade, this slasher gave good KILL. The kills ranged from stabbings to decapitations, to a very fun "wreath kill". Goltz and Sommerfield know what their fans want, practical creative deaths, giving this film a pretty decent body count.
On to the negatives, which mirror my one complaint with Don't Go to the Reunion, the runtime for the movie. This movie was short, at about an hour and seven minutes of content, I would have loved for about 10 more minutes. But this is a minor complaint, and if anything it shows just how much I enjoyed this movie too! Aside from the excellent cast and direction (Bosley is one to definitely keep an eye on), I say give this one a buy and support indie horror!
The Redwood Massacre (2014)
Beware, Evil Highlander at Play!
I recently checked this one out, because not only was the poster aesthetically pleasing to a slasher fan like myself, but I am a sucker for the "scarecrow/burlap" masked loons. I really enjoyed this one, it seemed to have a "timeless" vibe that could have easily set it in the 80', this movie works as a throwback without hyping itself up over the idea of being a "throwback.The acting is good and the kills are even better.The cinematography alone showcases the reason to visit the Scottish countryside,amazing shots of the dense forests and surrounding areas.
I read some reviews and people seemed to be expecting something from a slasher movie that slasher movies are not known for---> Oscar caliber acting? Oscar winning screenplay? No, you will not have that here, it is called The Redwood Massacre, and you get A BLOODY MASSACRE! I read the slasher, who is billed as "Evil Highlander" has his own toy and will be featured in a comic book as a cameo, I say bring it on!
Easily one of the better modern slasher movies, iconic villain with a campfire story origin...it works!
Scarred (2016)
Indie Slasher is brutal and fun, just like they used to make them!
When you watch horror movies/slasher movies, what keeps you invested? For me it is the cast, here not only is there a great cast, but some real standouts. Now everybody knows Ari Lehman in the slasher world as the "kid Jason Voorhees", but I have been watching some great indie slashers here lately and Ari is all in the horror mix! Having cast a horror vet in a slasher flick only adds to the appeal to me, kudos for bringing him on board. Another standout for me was Don Kilrain as "Jonah" who was our masked madman. With a name like KILRAIN, you expect to have one badass mother____%#^!!, and Jonah is that! Another standout was Molly Miller as "Tiny". Tiny was an interesting aspect to this film, she brought the "humanity" out of Jonah, and I don't know if that is such a good thing! It was also nice to see Janine Sarnowski as "Luna" she did a great job and was kickass towards the end. The plot for this one is straight up, you get a tragic past that creates this villain...who has grown to despise "pretty people"., so what do you think happens to a group of models that cross paths with this creepy brute?!?! Let's just say, beauty is only skinned deep! This movie boasts a rather large body count, not once was I bored, superb pacing! Being a fan of iconic killers like Jason, Freddy and Chucky, what works for them is their motivations for killing. Jonah has his own unique reasons for killing, one that would make for a nice urban legend to share with others around a chilly campfire! What brings this slasher up a notch from others is not only motivations, but the kills. This movie was pretty brutal, and dare I say offered up some inventive demises. I won't share all of the gory details but the one involving chains with hooks towards the end of the film really made me squirm.
I think Jonah has more to do, with that diabolical mask and his ability to select from a wide variety of "kill tools", I think this is one character begging for sequels! I always look forward to reviewing these indie films, many boast about being a "homage" to the 80's, while I think others just do. With this one I do get a little nostalgia from that decade, it's almost a mix of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with Jonah's brutality mixed with a little Twisted Nightmare! I say give this one a peep creepers, two very big thumbs up!
Chill: The Killing Games (2013)
Solid Indie Slasher with great cast
I recently watched this slasher/murder mystery film and it was quit the refreshing experience. First, the acting was superb! Roger Conners was perfect for the role as the "final girl/scream queen". His character was well developed and gave viewers a new character worth rooting for! Noelle Bye and Meredith Holland, along with Roger Conners, wrote a great story that took viewers along for an unconventional treat.
The highlights of the film were the following- * great setting, a performing arts building after dark! This echoed other great slasher films, like The Clown at Midnight and Stage Fright (to name a few) * great cast, every character had their uniqueness and charisma that they brought to the role, which made this indie movie rise above others! * cinematography, creative shots with some inventive storytelling kept this movie interesting right from the beginning. * carnage, the movie had a rather high bodycount and at times was brutal. This was all practical effects, no awkward cgi included. * ending, pulled together nicely despite killing off some fan favorite characters. I would highly recommend viewing this when you can, I believe later in 2015 a DVD will be released! Definitely a recommendation to fans of slasher movies, particularly the 80's/90's aficionados!
Nightbeasts (2010)
Sure to be a Cult Classic!
I recently got the chance to watch Nightbeasts on VIMEO, this was a fun homage to the Bigfoot movies from the 1970's and 1980's!I really appreciated the performance from Zach Galligan (Gremlins, Hatchet 2) and of course the cameo from the father of camp himself,Lloyd Kaufman. The first part of the movie really established the characters, having the father vulnerable from his alcohol problem and the loss of his wife really made him relate able and made you care for him, some of the other supporting characters were just OKThe son in the movie, actor Tim Thomas did a good job with his scenes with his father Charles (Galligan) and especially towards the end of the flick.
My enjoyment of this movie depended on the look of the "beasts", this was something that the directors and costume people really got right! If you have seen classics like Night of the Demon (killer Sasquatch flick from the 80's)then you would definitely enjoy their look! They were shaggy and were very intimidating, especially towards the end when they start attacking full speed and in groups. The native American angle to the flick was good too, again it was about building characters and I think Sonny Skyhawk as the tribes chief, really set the mood with the story he told the others at the bonfire.
The ambiance of the film was very moody, I thoroughly enjoyed the foggy settings with the blue crisp colors in the night scenes, this brings me back to classic movies like Pumpkinhead for example. Also there was a scene in the movie where one of the beasts darts in front of the vehicle, that is what stuck with me after the movie, it is those kinds of ideas that make the movie genuinely creepy. Imagine driving down the street and seeing this "shaggyman" dart in front of your car! The score was handled rather well, when the sh@#!t hit the fan, you knew it!
All in all it was a very good flick, the only issues I had with the movie that take it to an 8 instead of a 10 is the acting at times from the supporting staff was dry, and I would have preferred a little more gore, but those are minor complaints to a very good flick! So grab your loved one and dim the lights, and just remember... THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT!