Mirrors (2008) Movie Review

Being abnormally obsessed with Asian horror, about a year ago, on a whim, I bought “Into the Mirror” (“Geoul sokeuro,” 2003) through eBay. Written and directed by Sung-ho Kim, the film focuses on Woo Yeong-min (Ji-tae Yu of “Oldboy” fame), a traumatized former police officer who now works...

August 19th, 2008 | Read More

The Midnight Meat Train (2008) Movie Review

All I want to know is what did writer-producer Clive Barker and/or director Ryuhei Kitamura do or say to someone at Lion’s Gate to get their $15 million film “Midnight Meat Train” dumped into second-run cinemas on its opening week? Did they kidnap an executive’s family and set everyone on fire...

August 8th, 2008 | Read More

Red (2008) Movie Review

(Movie Review by Laurence Bush) The film, Red, turns good and evil inside out. Everyone loves Avery. He is a dog-lover, war veteran, fisherman, beer drinker, and widower living in a typical small American town. He has a kind, sincere face, weathered by life and soulful eyes that belie a secret tragedy....

August 1st, 2008 | Read More

The Tattooist (2007) Movie Review

Let’s call it synchronicity. Last week, I was looking through the new DVD releases on Netflix, and I came across “The Tattooist,” a supernatural horror film about an American tattooist (Jason Behr) who, after swiping an ancient Samoan tattooing tool unleashes an avenging “evil” spirit. Being...

July 27th, 2008 | Read More

Ghost of Mae Nak (2005) Movie Review

Thai horror “Ghost of Mae Nak” was originally released back in 2005 when the modern Asian ghost genre was very much still in full swing, and with the country just having scored one of the best efforts of the form to date with the excellent “Shutter”. The film was, and indeed still...

July 20th, 2008 | Read More

Let the Right One In (2008) Movie Review

There are special effects that no Hollywood blockbuster can create, and magic that no money can buy. It is the magic of humanity that no CGI can recreate or substitute – the magic of perfectly cast actors whose alchemy transcends (and renders laughable) the puerile “special effects” of...

July 18th, 2008 | Read More

G.P. Guard Post 506 (2008) Movie Review

Although Korean horror films have for the most part been an uninspired lot over the last couple of years, there have still been a few flashes of creativity, enough so to keep genre fans hoping, holding out for something truly special. Simply put, “The Guard Post 506”, the second effort from Kong...

July 18th, 2008 | Read More

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Movie Review

Hellboy is unique in the world of superheroes. He was conjured from hell by the Nazis, but he’s a good guy who watches too much TV, and enjoys a fine cigar, Baby Ruth, and the touch of a soft kitten. His weapons of choice are his rock hard Right Hand of Doom and a great, big gun. In his debut feature,...

July 15th, 2008 | Read More

Jail House Eros (1990) Movie Review

The excellently titled “Jail House Eros” boasts what may well be the ultimate premise in exploitation cinema, combining the women in prison genre and the wackiest excess of the Hong Kong ghost film. Needless to say, the film was the brainchild of none other than Wong Jing himself, and is...

July 13th, 2008 | Read More

Mother of Tears: The Third Mother (2007) Movie Review

(Movie Review by Dustin Adrian) In the 70s Dario Argento’s films married two unlikely things-lurid violence and gorgeous visuals. His vibrant set design, use of color and imaginative direction made him a hit with both horror fans and critics. Many believe his best film is Suspiria, the story of...

July 9th, 2008 | Read More

The Signal (2007) Movie Review

Around midnight in the city of Terminus, Ben (Justin Welborn)’s TV turns itself on, waking him up. Broadcasting across the airwaves is a signal that consists of pulsating and morphing images and an annoying droning sound. After he returns to bed, his lover Mya (Anessa Ramsey) tells him that she has...

June 25th, 2008 | Read More

Rogue (2007) Movie Review

Aussie director Greg Mclean probably didn’t think there was anything more dangerous than the crocs in his new movie “Rogue”. Of course, that was before he met the suits in Hollywood. What was supposed to be Mclean’s much-anticipated follow-up to his critical and commercial hit “Wolf Creek”...

June 17th, 2008 | Read More

The Strangers (2008) Movie Review

(May contain spoilers) Following a friend’s wedding reception, Kristen (Liv Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) return to the latter’s family vacation home. This was also supposed to be their big night as James proposes to Kristen. But she rejects him, saying that she isn’t “ready.” Still aching,...

June 4th, 2008 | Read More

The Echo (2008) Movie Review

Guest Movie Review by Lance Curtis — Twitch.com says it is the most “art-house oriented film” to come out of Vertigo Entertainment, the producers behind horror films The Ring, The Grudge, and now The Echo. The Echo, directed by young filmmaker Yam Laranas, certainly comes as a surprise...

June 4th, 2008 | Read More

Edges of Darkness (2008) Movie Review

Have you ever felt like watching a horror film, but couldn’t decide if you should choose a film about zombies, vampires, parasitic machines, the anti-Christ, or the apocalypse? Thanks to “Edges of Darkness,” you no longer have to make a choice, because this indie film contains ALL of these elements...

May 26th, 2008 | Read More

Diary of the Dead (2007) Movie Review

During his 40-year career, George A. Romero has made 17 films, five of which have been about the “living dead.” His last film, the 2005 “Land of the Dead,” had an uncharacteristically large budget, $15 million; a wide theatrical release; and starred several big names, including John Leguizamo,...

May 26th, 2008 | Read More

13 Beloved (2006) Movie Review

Although perhaps not as internationally recognised as that of other Asian countries, Thai genre cinema has over the last few years been responsible for a growing number of popular hits and cult favourites including the likes of “Alone”, “Dorm”, “Sick Nurses” and others....

May 20th, 2008 | Read More

Sick Nurses (2007) Movie Review

Although the modern Asian ghost genre continues to languish in the creative doldrums, it does throw up the occasional gem, such as the delirious “Sick Nurses” from Thai directors Thospol Siriwiwat and Piraphan Laoyont. A truly whacked-out and imaginatively grotesque variation on the tired...

May 18th, 2008 | Read More

Kinky Killers (aka Polycarp, 2007) Movie Review

(Movie Review by Kevin Nickelson) In the early 1980’s, the then-new home video market needed product to sell in between the release of major films. Video companies turned much of the time to independent directors and small production companies who were not able to get major theatrical distribution...

May 7th, 2008 | Read More

The Cottage (2008) Movie Review

The British already know that writer-director Paul Andrew Williams is one to watch. His feature film debut, “London to Brighton” (2006), saw him being nominated for a BAFTA, as the Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer. He may have lost out on that one to Andrea Arnold for “Red...

May 6th, 2008 | Read More