Free Horror Short Movie: #19 Review and Director Interview

#19 is a short horror film directed by Tommy Merry. It's about a cannibal serial killer that "tenderizes" his meat before he butchers it. By meat, I mean victims. 


Now, I don't normally care for serial killer, hack and slash type movies. I call them "torture porn"-- which should give you an idea as to how I feel about them. But, this movie was different. The directing style and great acting provokes a lot of strong emotions in the viewer, and you'll find yourself disgusted and yet unable to stop watching. 


Nothing is exactly what it seems, and #19 keeps you wondering what is going to happen, right up until the very end. 

The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 2: Bloodletting

Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Walking Dead ended on a cliffhanger, with Sophia missing and Carl shot by a hunter and lying unconscious on the forest floor.

Episode 2: "Bloodletting" starts with a flashback sequence, with Lori talking to a friend about Rick as she waits for Carl to get out of school for the day. Lori has a short fuse and her anger seems to get the better of her. What's worse is that Rick knows this and attempts to talk her down to prevent an argument from escalating to a point where they would both do things that they regret. It is clear that she is worried about her relationship with her husband, and unsure as to what the future will bring.

Just before the final school bell rings, Shane drives up in a police car. As soon as he steps out and starts to approach her, Lori knows that Rick has been shot-- which is one of the things she feared the most.

Shane tells her what happened, and that it is his fault, as he didn't see the third suspect in the vehicle. Lori doesn't blame him, but her heart sinks as school gets out and Carl starts walking towards them. She doesn't know how to tell him that Rick has been hurt. Shane offers to do it, but Lori refuses, and approaches Carl and tells him what happened. Here we see that she understands that when you need to talk with a child, especially about something so important, that you get down to their eye-level and speak with them.

The flashback ends, and Rick is running as fast as he can, carrying Carl through a field, struggling to hold him up as he goes. Shane and the hunter, Otis, are running behind him. Otis is overweight and out of shape, and can't keep up, so he points them in the direction of the doctor's farm house. Shane pushes Otis along, and they run after Rick.

Atrocious (2010) Review

I caught the live streaming VOD on Bloody Disgusting of "Atrocious" today and I like it. Unlike other found footage movies, there are two video cameras involved, giving you the main characters' perspectives of events as things subtly go from ordinary to deadly.

"Atrocious" is a Spanish found-footage film that starts out as a ghost hunting movie that turns into a slasher flick. This is done through the clever use of misdirection and the characters dropping seemingly benign clues that hint at the truth of what is going on. 

Normally I don't care for the slash and hack genre, but... this movie is different.

Top 13 Kids Movies for Halloween

13. Monster Squad (1987)PG-13
A group of kids in a club dedicated to movie monsters discover that Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Frankenstein are real. They must stop them from getting their hands on a magic amulet that will give Dracula the power to rule the world. This movie is cute and has a few genuinely funny moments. Even better, it has all of the classic movie monsters in it.



12. Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966) G
"It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" is a made for TV Peanuts cartoon. Blanket toting Linus is waiting for the great pumpkin to arrive and Charlie Brown goes to a Halloween party. This is a feel good Halloween kids movie that invokes the feelings of excitement and anticipation that a child experiences on the days leading up to Halloween.

Horror Movie Monsters: CG vs. Practical Effects

I recently read an interview that Evan Dickson over at Bloody Disgusting did with Eric Heisserer, the screenwriter of "The Thing" 2011- who really did not like what was done with the film in post-production. Some of Mr. Heisserer's comments about how they were originally using practical effects for the creature in the movie, i.e. "old skool" special effects with prosthetics and latex models of monsters, and that they were completely and utterly ruined by their replacement with computer graphic animations got me thinking. I've seen a lot of horror movies. Some good, some mediocre, and some just outright bad.  The main thing that really set the good apart from the terrible movies was how the monster was shown on-screen. Some movie makers seem to think that if it's CG, it's awesome, and that you don't need to do anything else other than film the actors and plug in the CG afterwards. And that line of logic is totally and utterly wrong.

It's not that CG is bad. It's just that when it isn't done right, it really stands out. The best movie monsters that I have seen are the ones that combine real practical effects with CG. It's the marriage of old techniques and the new technology that make the most convincing creatures come to life on-screen.

[REC] Review

[REC] is a Spanish "found footage" film written and directed by Jaume Balaguero. It is the first installment of the [REC] series.

The movie follows Angela Vidal, a local news reporter and her cameraman Pablo, who are on-site at a firehouse in Barcelona doing a show for her documentary series "While You're Asleep."

The entire movie is filmed from the point of view of her cameraman Pablo. It feels like he truly is a professional cameraman. There are moments of shaky cam hell, but for the most part, he holds the camera steady. (And for that I am thankful. I don't know about you, but other first person point-of-view found footage films make me motion sick.)

During her tour of the firehouse there is an emergency call, and they join the firefighters in their truck as they head over to an apartment complex. The firemen were called in to help an elderly woman who is trapped in her apartment.  As soon as they break down the door and enter her apartment, you see that something isn't quite right. The old woman charges at them, attacks and bites a policeman.

The Sound of the Scare Part 1 The Thing (1982)

The soundtrack is the one subject that is the least discussed by people when talking about the horror movies. Because of this, I have decided to start an ongoing series called "The Sound of the Scare." 


Unfortunately there are a plethora of films in the genre whose potentially tense scenes are completely trampled over by an over-exuberant score. Even worse is when the film depends more on the suspense created by the music than on the acting, character development and overall plot. These cheap scares are typically signaled by a score that continuously grows louder in volume until it screams at the audience; the blaring speakers making them jump. The terror here is due to the assault on the eardrums, rather than the cerebellum. Directors that intentionally use it to provide auditory cues as to when the next “big scare” is coming up are just using it as a crutch. It is a weak attempt to cover up their inability to conjure up suspense via dialogue and action.


However, when done correctly the soundtrack adds to the sense of foreboding and dread that the story was intended to dredge up in the viewer to begin with.

Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 1

I am happy to say that Season 2 of "The Walking Dead" has opened with a strong character driven first episode.

Episode 1 "What Lies Ahead" has many intense moments that will leave you biting your nails in anticipation of what could possibly happen next.

The show starts out with Rick and gang leaving Atlanta. Unfortunately, Dale's RV breaks down on the freeway, which has turned into a parking lot after a huge multiple car collision caused by a large semi-truck. The accident left the road littered with abandoned cars; some of which have dead bodies in them, other with sorely needed supplies like food and water.

Just when you think that they are safe from any sort of walker attack, a huge mob of zombies starts heading their way.

Dead Island Review

Dead Island is a FPS Zombie game that totally kicks all sorts of ass. It's also super fucking hard to play on your own...which I did. Because I'm insane like that. And have no friends. That wanted to play it with me. Because they suck.

Anyhoo...

"Dead Island" by Deep Silver for the XBOX360, PlayStation 3, and the PC takes place on the beautifully rendered tropical island of Banoi in Papua New Guinea.

You can play one of four characters; rapper Sam B, former policewoman Xian Mei, bodyguard Purna, or retired football (i.e. soccer) star Logan.

I played as badass Sam B, because I'm awesome like that, and I love playing a brawler. 

During the start of the game the PCs discover that they are mysteriously immune to the disease that is ravaging the resort paradise and turning people into undead monstrosities.

"Dead Island" has minor RPG elements (missions/quests and experience point type mechanics for skills) and gorgeous graphics and sound that really make you feel like you can feel the spray of the ocean on your face and the hot tropical sun on your back.

The fact that you are being assaulted by dead people in bikinis and swim trunks makes the atmosphere of the game all the more terrifying. No, really, it's fucking scary to have someone with that much bareskin running at you and trying to bite your face off.

Overall the gameplay is pretty smooth, with characters being able to switch out weapons during combat and using healing items.

There is nothing more satisfying than lopping off the head of a zombie with a cleaver, well, except getting into a truck and running them over. Because man, was that fun! (What? Don't look at me like that, it's just a game.)

While there is an option for single player, the game is geared towards two or more people playing the game together in co-op mode.

I first noticed it when NPCs kept calling me "mates" or "fellas"-- the plural instead of singular.

Honestly, I was looking forward to individualized cutscenes for each of the characters, and gameplay that catered to whatever character you were playing.

It was weird to watch the first cut-scene and realize that you are not alone in your fight against the undead masses, that the other three playable characters are there as well.

The back of the box says 1 to 4 players, implying that you can play all on your lonesome, but you really, really, really don't want to do that. Because I did. And let me tell you, it's a lot harder. LIKE A LOT FUCKING HARDER. As in, you will DIE a lot. Especially in the city level because holy shit that place is crawling with zombies that run screaming after you and want you to die.

And to be honest, I was surprised to find the RPG like elements in the gameplay, as I had originally thought that it was going to be a straight FPS game.

You can accept or decline quests, but that is the limit to NPC interaction. It's not a straight up RPG where you get to chat with people about the weather or their missing aunt's cat. Nope. Not at all.

Yes. Accept All the QUESTS! 

During my playthrough, I really didn't see the need to decline a single side mission. Boy did I rack up the experience points, and skills, as a result. Because I'm smart like that. 😝

There are three skill trees, and the skills themselves are purchased with experience- one skill point per level gained. Which is aggravating when you need a good combination of skills from each tree to be able to survive the grueling pace of non-stop attacks in the City of Moresby.

Be sure to use your skills to toughen up yourself, and your weapons. Weapons become damaged during use so keep an eye on them and repair them often, as it is cheaper to repair a weapon that is only 75% condition than one that is 0%.

Now, you are warned about how dangerous the city is. But what they don't tell you is that you really shouldn't go there alone.

If you aren't the best gamer in the world, or find yourself dying often, my advice is to return to the Resort, do some zombie farming to get enough experience points to level up a few times. Then go back to the city.

Or... get a friend to play with you. Because I couldn't, and well...it took a bit of grit and dogged determination to get through the city level, and I know that I died more than a handful of times in my journey through that hellhole. Holy shit did I die. I should've kept count, so I could make a cute/clever death graph for you guys, but I didn't think of that.



Here's some helpful tips on how to play this "Dead Island" BY YOURSELF, because you have no friends that want to play it with you, like I did...what a bunch of losers. Scared of playing zombies games. Sheesh. 

Anyways here's what to do:

Keep as many molotov cocktails or explosives as you can and only use them on the mini-bosses like the Thug, Ram, Floater and Butcher.

Fire takes them out fast. 

If you find yourself in a pinch without any, just throw all your weapons at them. Yes. That's right. THROW YOUR DAMN WEAPONS AT THOSE FUCKERS. Even the guns. I'm serious. Throw them all, then pick them back up and keep on throwing them at those assholes until the mini-boss is dead.

Sam B is about to smack a bitch down! 

The Ram is hard to beat until you observe it's fighting pattern, then it's just a matter of waiting for it to charge towards, you, running the fuck out of the way, and hitting it in the back.

Make at least one of your weapons a flaming weapon. Hit a zombie that has a green gas around it, or one that has been vomited on by a Floater with a flaming weapon and they'll light up like a torch, making killing them
all the more easier.

Shoot a Suicider at long range to avoid damage. Those are the ones that explode. You can hear them coming. They puff up and go BOOM! And kill you and anything else in close proximity. You can use them to strategically clear out an area by picking them off at a distance. Just shoot them and wait for them to do their thang, then run in and take out any surviving undead.

FAST MOVE 

When you see the fast-forward icon on a wall in a building, click on it, even if you don't want to do a fast move from one place to another. This way the game will register it, and you can return to it later without having to run all the way there.

KEEP ON MOVING!

Keep moving while you are in the city. Infected people can run up stairs, climb ladders and run across rooftops to attack you from behind. Seriously, I'm not kidding. DON'T STOP on the street to get a look around. Get up high, make sure you're not followed or spotted and look around from there.

Vehicular Manslaughter of Zombies is encouraged.

In some areas, such as a gas station, it's a good idea to clear the area with your vehicle first (that means mowing down the undead and running them over), then get out of the truck and go about your business. Especially when there is more than one infected running about, screaming like madmen.


"Dead Island" is a fun FPS zombie game that isn't a half-baked Call of Duty rip off. It's story and gameplay are fresh, and my God are the graphics beautiful. Such pretty undead monsters to eat your face!

The only downside is that after the city, the gameplay gets rather repetitive until you get to the last level in the prison. But hey, that's my only complaint, so you know that this is a fantastic game. Go play it! With friends. Yeah...

Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night

"Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night" is an independent Japanese film that is a sequel to "Paranormal Activity" that was released in November 2010. Unfortunately it came out the same year as "Paranormal Activity 2" did in the United States and did not receive the attention it rightfully deserves.






Shortly after she returns home strange things start to occur during the middle of the night. Haruka's wheelchair moves by itself.

Kiochi places a mound of salt in her room to drive off the spirit. 

The salt is scattered across the floor. The videotape reveals an invisible force blowing it away.
Haruka's friends visits her along with their psychic friend Misuzu who can see spirits. Misuzu visits Haruka's room, stands there for a bit, then leaves without saying a word. She returns to the living room, before announcing that she didn't know what it was that she saw. She is then spiritually attacked and runs out of the house screaming.

Koichi calls a Shinto priest to come and cleanse their home of evil. The priest performs a ceremony, then declares that the presence has been calmed and will no longer harm them. The priest is then killed by the demon.

Koichi tries to convince her to leave the house with him, but she refuses. It is then that Haruka reveals that she was involved in a car accident with Katie--the woman from the first "Paranormal Activity" movie--who was on the run after being possessed by a demon that made her kill her boyfriend Micah. And that Katie was killed in the accident.

Koichi helps her back to bed, places a wooden cross in her hand and goes to make her breakfast. The cross is pulled from her hand and lands on the floor. All of her windows start to break as the cross is dragged across the floor. Then, it spontaneously sets on fire. Which is pretty darn cool.

Then everything goes to hell, literally. We watch Haruka stagger out of bed, jerkily walking on her broken legs (ouch!) thumping terribly as she slowly, step by step, leaves and enters her brother's room. She stands over him for two hours, slowly wavering on broken legs, then heads downstairs.

And screams.

Koichi runs downstairs, searching frantically for her, only to find dear old dad dead in the closet. (Oh Noes!) Haruka suddenly appears behind him, hits hard enough to knock him down, then throws him at the camera in his room upstairs.

He gets up as she begins to crawl towards him, long black hair hanging down in her face in typical J-horror fashion, and he freaks and runs out of the house and snags a taxi. He tells him to just drive and sits there, scared out of his mind in the back seat, when suddenly, Haruka appears standing in the road, and the cab hits her and runs into a wall.

The next scene is in the morgue, where Koichi is asked to identify a body and is for some strange reason, left all alone in a room with a corpse. He slowly pulls off the sheet and to his horror, he reveals the taxi driver's face, not his sister's. Then, he is dragged away from the camera screaming. Shortly after Haruka appears, walking towards the camera, staring up at it with blank eyes that roll up into her head.

This movie features some Japanese culture Horror Elements that revolve around the Shinto Religion.

Salt

• Koichi uses salt to ward off an evil spirit.
• In many folk beliefs, salt is a pure element that can repel evil spirits.

Shinto Religion

• They call a Shinto priest who comes and sets up a small shrine before performing a house cleansing ceremony.

Japanese Ghosts/Evil Spirits

• Haruka's wheelchair moves up to the camera which causes the video feed gets static from interference and then cuts out.
• The stereo starts blaring, playing by itself at top volume and when Koichi approaches it, the sound turns into static.
• Japanese ghosts can manipulate electronics and in some J-horror can possess them or live inside of them, such as the cursed video in "Ring" directed by Hideo Nakata.

The Good

The main characters are interesting and the actors are good at convincing you that they are brother and sister in their interactions. They seem to have a normal brother-sister relationship, and they have personalities that aren't insufferable nor as grating, which makes it easy for you to sympathize with them.

People's reactions to the movie's events as they unfold are believable.

The integration of J-horror movie themes is a refreshing take on the “Paranormal Activity” plot line.

The Bad

As far as shaky cam hell goes, it wasn't nearly as bad as the original "Paranormal Activity" and the director, thankfully, kept it to a minimum.

Although it was entertaining, it truly wasn't that scary of a movie. The director had to depend on cheap stage tricks and use a sub-sonic sound during the "scary parts" that is unnerving to most people. Pay attention to horror films of this type and listen for the low bass-like hum that is sort of similar to a large fan droning in the distance.

This sort of sound manipulation is common in these types of films, as it triggers a fear response in your brain and makes you feel uneasy and tense. Which is a pity. When suspense in a horror film is done right, a director can create feelings of fear and dread in the audience without resorting to such a dirty trick.

Overall, "Paranormal Activity: Tokyo Night" is an entertaining, and scary  movie, with some very tense possession sequences and creepy ghost phenomena.

If you love J-horror or any of the "Paranormal Activity" movies, you'll love this one!