Phil’s Halloween Horror Watch: POPCORN (1989) from Synapse Films - October 4, 2018

POPCORN Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-Ray

POPCORN
Starring Jill Schoelen, Dee Wallace, Ray Walston, Tony Roberts, Malcolm Danare, Tom Villard, Derek Rydall, Elliott Hurst
Written by Mitchell Smith and Alan Ormsby (as Tod Hackett)
Cinematography by Ronnie Taylor
Edited by Stan Cole
Produced by Howard Baldwin, Karl Hendrickson, Howard Hurst
Directed by Mark Herrier
Originally released by Studio Three Film Corporation
Released by Synapse Film

Hello and welcome back to another installment of Phil's Halloween Horror Watch. The late 1980’s and early 1990's was the beginning of the end for the horror genre, more specifically for the slasher subgenre. HALLOWEEN, FRIDAY THE 13th, CHILD’S PLAY, A NIGHTMARE OF ELM STREET, and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE had bombarded theaters with numerous sequels that were, quite frankly, showing signs of fatigue, less than inspiring storylines, and diminishing budgets. While there were some shining examples of what the genre had to offer, such as HELLRAISER, NIGHTBREED, and CANDYMAN. In 1991, the film POPCORN was released and disappeared from theaters in a blink of an eye. Thanks to the fine folks over at Synapse Films, horror fans can now finally see this gem completely restored!!

The film's official synopsis: What could be scarier than an all-night “Horrorthon”? A group of film students finds out when they stage just such an event at an abandoned movie palace. In addition to the three features—MOSQUITO, THE ATTACK OF THE AMAZING ELECTRIFIED MAN and THE STENCH—they decide to screen a bizarre short called THE POSSESSOR, whose creator, Lanyard Gates, killed his family and set the theater on fire after its first showing. Maggie (Jill Schoelen, THE STEPFATHER) has been having frightening dreams that seem to be connected to THE POSSESSOR, and as the festival proceeds, the nightmare comes true for her and her friends as they are stalked and slain by a mysterious killer. Has Gates survived to continue THE POSSESSOR’s deadly legacy?

Original Theatrical Poster (1991)

Now I haven't seen the film since it was released on VHS and I rented it at my local mom&pop video store. It looked like nothing I had seen before up to that point. It had amazing locations, awesome make up and special effects, great cast of characters, an interesting antagonist, and an cool soundtrack. It just didn't look like your typical slasher flick. And it was freaking fantastic!

This was the feature film debut of Mark Herrier, who's best known as an actor. He starred in such 80's films like TANK, REAL MEN, and all three movies of the PORKY'S franchise. Joining him in the director's chair was Alan Ormsby, who is uncredited but co-wrote the film with Mitchell Smith under the name of Tod Hackett. All four of these individuals helped create one of the most unsung horror movies of all time, and was way ahead of anybody else in the industry. Like I said earlier, the horror genre was pretty much dead, killed by the neverending avalanche of inferior sequels. And then out of nowhere, POPCORN was released to theaters, but unfortunately by then there wasn't an audience to see it, and seemed to disappear. But that wasn't the end of the film.

The movie found a new lease on life on VHS and was discovered by horror fans. Soon, it gained the popular title "cult classic" and fans bought copies of the movie and rented it at video store in drones. But then, the landscape changed, and it was the dawn of the DVD. Comany Elite Entertainment released a DVD edition of the film in 2001, but then it became out of print for several years after. In 2017, Synapse Films released the movie on DVD again, Blu-Ray, and in a cool Limited Edition Collector's Steelbook 2-Disc Set.

POPCORN Limited Edition Collector's Steelbook.

Since I am a major physical media collector, I had to purchase the Limited Edition Collector's Steelbook 2-Disc Set of the film, which is limited to just 3,000 units (it's more than 60% sold out)! There's also a booklet with liner notes from Michael Gingold. The special features include a Brand-New 2K Scan of a 35mm Interpositive Vault Element, All-New Blu-ray 7.1 Surround Sound Mix Supervised by Synapse Films (Original 2.0 Stereo Mix also Included), 5.1 Surround Mix Included on DVD, Audio Commentary with Director Mark Herrier, Stars Jill Schoelen, Malcolm Danare, and Special Makeup Effects Artist Mat Falls, MIDNIGHT MADNESS: THE MAKING OF "POPCORN" featuring interviews with Director Mark Herrier, Stars Jill Schoelen, Derek Rydall, Dee Wallace, Malcolm Danare, Ivette Soler, and Elliott Hurst, Special Makeup Effects Artist Mat Falls, Composer Paul Zaza, and Distributor Executive Jonathan Wolf (55 mins, HD), Electric Memories – An Interview with Actor Bruce Glover, Original Theatrical Trailer, Television Trailer and TV Spots, Still Gallery, and English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. As you can see, Synapse Films went all out with this edition. There's also a standard Blu-Ray and DVD of the film as well, and both contain the same special features, minus the liner notes and different artwork.

POPCORN is an undiscovered horror gem of a film that begs to be watched over and over again! While overlooked and forgotten over the years, fans of the film can now rejoice and watch it in their own living room!! And thanks again to Synapse Films for rescuing the movie from obscurity and presenting to a whole new audience who never had the opportunity to see it when it was first released all the way back in 1991!! This Halloween season, make sure you pick up the incredible horror title!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

POPCORN is currently available in a Limited Edition Collector's Steelbook, Blu-Ray and DVD from Synapse Films. To order a copy of the movie for yourself, please visit their website synapse-films.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: Phil sees HELL FEST at the Cinelux Tennant Station Stadium 11 - October 3, 2018

Welcome back to Day Three of my Halloween Horror Watch! Sometimes, serendipity finds you when you least expect it. So I was in Morgan Hill today, calling on one of my accounts when I look across the parking lot and see the Cinelux Tennant Station Stadium 11. And I thought to myself, "Man, I haven't seen a movie there in a long ol' time. I wonder what's playing there?" So I walked on over and I saw they're screening the new Lionsgate/CBS Films fright film HELL FEST!! And then I said to myself, "Holy shit!! I wanna see that!!" I then preceded to go inside, purchased a ticket, made my way to Theater 5, found a comfy chair and awaited the movie to unfold before my evil eyes.

The film's official synopsis: A masked serial killer turns a horror themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show. College student Natalie (Amy Forsyth) is visiting her childhood best friend Brooke  (Reign Edwards) and her roommate Taylor (Bex Taylor-Klaus ). If it was any other time of year these three and their boyfriends might be heading to a concert or bar, but it is Halloween which means that like everyone else they will be bound for Hell Fest – a sprawling labyrinth of rides, games, and mazes that travels the country and happens to be in town. Every year thousands follow Hell Fest to experience fear at the ghoulish carnival of nightmares. But for one visitor, Hell Fest is not the attraction – it is a hunting ground. An opportunity to slay in plain view of a gawking audience, too caught up in the terrifyingly fun atmosphere to recognize the horrific reality playing out before their eyes. As the body count and frenzied excitement of the crowds continues to rise, he turns his masked face to Natalie, Brooke, Taylor and their boyfriends who will fight to survive the night.

I came into this screening dead cold, meaning I didn't know anything about the film. Now I had heard the title mentioned on a couple of podcasts that I listen to, but didn't have a clue. I walked out of that screening, thinking how much fun the movie was!

First, I really enjoyed the performances of all of the female actresses. Amy Forsyth was fantastic as out heroine Natalie. She looked and sounded like a real young adult in her 20's, not Hollywood's two-dimensional, cookie cutter caricature of one. She brings a level of believability to her performance, and I found it refreshing to see. Reign Edwards does her best to make her character Brooke not the token black person who gets killed first. At first, she doesn't believe Natalie's claims, but she sure as hell does when the killer comes for her. She's the goofy and lovable best friend and I liked that. Bex Taylor-Klaus's Taylor was the one I related to the most, because I saw myself in her. I'm that horror loving fanatic who loves to get scared, gets in on the celebration of the park, and thrives in its environment. And I know quite of few women who Taylor reminded me of as well. Together, these ladies keep the film grounded and made me emotionally invested in them.

Kudos to filmmaker Gregory Plotkin, who makes he directorial feature length debut with the film. It's visually beautiful, framed stylistically, and captures all of the awesome gore and kills. He also pays tribute to films of horrors past. There is a killer eye scene that is haunting familiar to the late, great Lucio Fulci's ZOMBIE 2! The color pallet is very reminiscent to Dario Argento's SUSPIRIA. The killer's body language reminded me of both Micheal Myers from HALLOWEEN. The tone of the movie feels like an 80's slasher flick; it doesn't take itself seriously, the kills are bloody awesome, the tension was cool, and, I had a good time watching it. It's not going to change the slasher genre, or the face of the horror as whole, but it's contributing a rich legacy of movies that diehard fans love and does a great job of being exactly what it is.

Another contributing factor I really liked about the film was the ending. So I won't be spoiling the film, but it did not end the way I thought it was going to!! Holy crap I was not expecting this kind of ending!! It leaves the film wide open for a possible sequel, and I'm very interested of where it could go! Kudos to the entire cast and crew for making an awesome horror film!

HELL FEST is a fun-filled, gory, faced-paced, slice 'em and dice 'em, slasher flick that will entertain fans this Halloween season!! Again, it's not gonna change the horror genre, but will be remembered as one of the better horror films from Hollywood that isn't a remake or sequel! I hope this does become a new franchise, as there's so much potential for expansion! So go see this film on the big screen this month and just have fun!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

HELL FEST is playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Cinelux Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cineluxtheatres.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Hallowen Horror Watch: HOUSE SHARK (2017) from SRS Cinema - October 2, 2018

HOUSE SHARK Blu-Ray Cover

HOUSE SHARK
Starring Trey Harrison, Michael Merchant, Wes Reid, Wayne W. Johnson, Melissa LaMartina, Nathan Bonk, Jennie Russo
Written by Ron Bonk
Cinematography by Ron Bonk
Edited by Ron Bonk
Produced by Ron Bonk, Jonathan Straiton, Howard Gromero, Tim Ritter
Directed by Ron Bonk
Production by SRS Cinema and Duke Films
Released by SRS Cinema

Welcome to another installment of Phil's Halloween Horror Watch! For this edition, I watched the latest project from the legendary Ron Bonk. If you are not familiar with his name, you should! Bonk has been making low budget films for over twenty years, directing films like CITY OF THE VAMPIRES (1993) and THE VICIOUS SWEET (1997), MS. CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST (2012), and EMPIRE STATE OF THE DEAD (2016). One of the pioneers of the Shot-On-Video movement (or S.O.V. has it's affectionately called), he has also written and produced a slew of other titles for other filmmakers. He's also the brain and the brawn behind SRS Cinema, releasing a number of horror, sci-fi, cult, and SOV titles. Today, I had the pleasure of watching his latest creation known as HOUSE SHARK, and as he puts it, "It's JAWS in a house!"

The film's official synopsis: Just when you thought it was safe to go home! When Frank (Trey Harrison) finds his happy home under attack by a dangerous but largely unknown breed of shark, he's enlists the aid of the world's only "House Shark" Expert, Zachary (Michael Merchant), and a grizzled former real estate agent, Abraham (Wes Reid), to embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast and claim back his life.

Bonk plants his tongue firmly in cheek as the film's title alone should indicate you that your suspension of disbelief will be used. And holy shit was this film freaking awesome! He and his crew had a damn good time making this movie and it shows! Containing over-the-top acting, not-so special effects, blood and guts, and a house shark, the film delivers the goods in spades!

Film's Promotional Poster (2017)

Our three leads are terrific in their respective roles. Trey Harrison is the everyday man, who just happens to have a shark in his house that keeps eating people. He plays Frank with sheer fun and . Michael Merchant's Zachary is the scientist with a funny accent who plays off Harrison so well that I just laughed every time he said something. But for me, the Oscar goes to Wes Reid for his portrayl of the drunken insane hero Abraham, who's a cross of Ahab from MOBY DICK and Robert Shaw 's Quint from JAWS (which was perfect for this film). Together, these three actors ham it up for the camera and it's just awesome! They have such amazing on-screen chemistry that I'm surprised that they haven't been teamed up before! I hope they will be starring in another film together soon!

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the the genius of Ron Bonk. This man directed the hell out of the movie! Combining traditional framing with Grindhouse style compositions, the film feels almost like a throwback to those classic B-movies I used to watch on USA Up All Night back in the 90's. He keeps the story moving with gore, laughter, blood, and the importance of family and friendships made along the way.

Now I purchased the special two-disc limited slipcover edition Blu-Ray that was also signed by the cast and crew. In this edition, there's a plethora of special features, including three separate commentaries,  bloopers, deleted scenes, Skype sessions, the film's trailers, slide show, and trailers for other SRS films. There's also a DVD that's available as well, plus shirts, shoes, pillows and other memorabilia from the film!

HOUSE SHARK is a modern day cult classic that will make you stand up and cheer!! It's a film that doesn't take itself seriously at all and knows what's its purpose is: to entertain audiences everywhere with its absurd humor and hilarious originality!! This is a future midnight movie for sure!! So make sure you watch this movie during this Halloween season!! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

HOUSE SHARK is available in a special collector's edition Blu-Ray and DVD. To purchase a copy for yourself and other memorabilia, please visit their website at srscinemastore.com.

Thanks for watching, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III (2015) from Scream Team Releasing - October 1, 2018

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III Blu-Ray

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III
Starring Alec Owen, Ben Gigli, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Erik Sandoval, Chelsea St. John, Skyler Rousselet, Greg Sestero
Written by Various Screenwriters
Cinematography by Jon Salmon
Edited by Brian Firenzi
Produced by Various Producers
Directed by Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon
Production by 5 Second Films
Released by Scream Team Releasing

Hello friends and welcome to another year of Phil's Halloween Horror Watch!! Throughout the month of October, I watch an ungodly amount of horror films and write a review for each one! For today, I watched a bona fide cult classic that has plenty of gore, blood, and laughter to go around! So strap in folks as I talk about the bloody hilarious and grotesquely charming indie cult hit DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE PARTY III!

The film's official synopsis: A satirical twist on the gory and sexually charged 1980’s slasher genre, DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE PARTY III is presented as the only surviving VHS copy of the reviled horror franchise’s third, and final, installment. In the wake of two back-to-back mass murders on Chico’s frat row, loner Brent Chirino must infiltrate the ranks of a popular fraternity to investigate his twin brother's murder at the hands of the serial killer known as Motherface. As they are picked off one by one, Brent and his fellow Dude Bros must face the terrifying reality that their deadly foe, believed to have been killed (twice!), has returned from the grave (again!), and is hell-bent on the destruction of the Delta Bis.

Original Promotional Poster (2015)

This was such a brilliant satire and a loving homage to the classic 1980's slasher films! By having it looked like it was recorded off a TV onto an old VHS tape, the fate of this long lost horror classic still continues to scare up laughs with modern audiences. And containing a cool 80's sounding soundtrack, the role reversal of having the woman wanting to take a man's virginity, cheesy acting, and a copious amount of blood, the movie was just so much fun to watch!

According to their website, film company 5-Second Films is "a vertically-branded viral humor depository, delivering original commercially-minded content to shareholders and upwardly mobile males, females and space chickens ages 18-35 (with disposable income) since October 30th, 2008." All their films are exactly five seconds long, so it's not just a marketing ploy folks! The inspiration for the film was based on a short fake trailer with the same name. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign in 2013, the gang went straight into making their short into a feature length reality once they reached their goal.

Hats off to directors Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon for crafting a slasher movie that would fit into the lexicon of 80's horror films. Their compositions and set-ups are lifted right from that era, and they cram so much fun and gore into each frame! It truly does look like it was recorded on an old VHS tape, and includes some hysterical commercials. These gentlemen have certainly done their homework, and thus, should be applauded for their hard work!

Big news came earlier this year when it was announced that the film would be available to view on the horror streaming service Shudder, which was when I first saw the film. But then, Scream Team Releasing (founded by indie filmmaker Justin M. Seaman, the writer/director of the 2016 cult hit THE BARN) announced that they were releasing the movie on a special collector's edition Blu-Ray! The special features on the disc includes a Director's Commentary, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes, Trailer, English, Spanish & French Subtitles, and the making-of documentary "Livers of Darkness"

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III is an over-the-top modern day cult classic that horror fans will get a kick out of!! It's easily this year's "Best Bro Horror Flick!" So for all you bros out there, grab your best bro, pick up a couple of kegs, kick back on the couch and check out your fellow bros up on the TV screen! Just make sure that you leave a space for Motherface!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III is available on a special collector's edition Blu-Ray. To purchase a copy for yourself, please visit their website at screamteamreleasing.com. To learn more about 5-Second Films and to watch their films, visit their website at 5secondfilms.com.

Thanks for watching, and enjoy the horror!

Phil attends the GREATEST HITS BY CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA at the Castro Theatre - September 15, 2018

Greetings from San Francisco! I'm back up here in the City by the Bay to partake in another great silent film event, presented by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. This incredible event was called GREATEST HITS BY CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA! According to their Facebook biography: The Club Foot Orchestra is a music ensemble founded in 1983 by Richard Marriott. After a brief career playing dramatic, complex music in San Francisco clubs, they became known for their equally dramatic and complex scores for classic silent movies. The ensemble got their name from a performance art nightclub called the "Club Foot" which flourished in the Bayview district of San Francisco. Marriott, who lived upstairs, formed a house band that came to be called the "Club Foot Orchestra". As you probably guessed, I was super pumped for this event!! Never before have I ever heard of one band doing an entire silent film event. As you read from previous posts from my silent film trips, there's usually multiple musicians or orchestras providing musical accompaniments, but this would be the first time I've ever heard of just one orchestra doing the whole thing! As I arrived to the Castro Theatre, I made my way to the front row to take in all this excitement! At one o'clock, the lights dimmed and the show began!

The afternoon started with the silent comedies. First was a Felix the Cat cartoon entitled FELIX WOOS WHOOPEE (1928). In this animation short,Felix is up all night at the Whoopee Club, having a hell of a time, overindulging himself with drink, and dancing about with another inebriated friend. Meanwhile, at home, his angry wife Kitty is pacing up and down in front of the clock, which reads 3 a.m. Finally leaving the nightclub, Felix drunkenly tries to make his way home without Kitty finding out. He encounters scary apparitions- weird monsters and other vivid figments of his imagination- on his way home. Finally, Felix sneaks home and into bed, but he continues to fight his monsters, only to find that he is fighting his pillow in the midst of a nightmare. This was a trippy cartoon, way ahead of the norm of seeing the usual pink elephants. After that, it was time for some classic Buster Keaton shorts!

Buster Keaton & Sybil Seely in ONE WEEK (1920)

The first short screened was ONE WEEK (1920): Buster and Sybil Seely play newlyweds that attempts to build a do-it-yourself house kit. However her jealous ex sabotages the kit's component numbering, thus the house is less than perfect when completed! Next up was THE BLACKSMITH (1922): Buster clowns around in a blacksmith's shop until he and the smithy get in a fight which sends the smithy to jail. Buster helps several customers with horses, then destroys a Rolls Royce while fixing the car parked next to it. The last short shown was one of my favorites! COPS (1922) is a funny, funny, funny film! In a series of mishaps that plague our poor Buster, it all ends with him being chased by every single policemen in town! And I mean EVERY policemen!! It also boasts appearances by Joe Roberts, Virginia Fox, and Edward F. Cline as a hobo. The film was written and directed by Keaton as well as Cline. It was produced by Joseph M. Schenck Productions and released by First National in March of 1922.

Conrad Veidt & Lil Dagover in THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920)

The second film of the day was one I've seen many times, but still enjoy.  THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920) is a prime example of German Expressionism at its finest. The film tells the story of a mad doctor who trains a sleepwalker named Cesare (Conrad Veidt) to kill people in order to study the effects of somnambulism. To this day the film, and its ending, still gives me the shivers.

With its distorted sets, bizarre lighting and shadows painted on canvases, and deformed spaces, the film achieves its nightmarish imagery right from the start and doesn't let you go till it twisted ending. Director Robert Wiene forever changed the face of German cinema as well as cinema itself. Many Universal horror filmmakers have cited the German Expressionism films as their inspiration for DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN, and many others. The film was originally released by Decla-Bioscop in Germany on February 26, 1920. It was imported here in the states by Goldwyn Distributing Company on March 19, 1921. The film is available on a special edition Blu-Ray and DVD from Kino Lorber.

Brigitte Helm in METROPOLIS (1927)

Up next was a film that I had the pleasure of watching here at the Castro Theatre several years ago during the SFSFF 2010, one whole year before I started this blog. METROPOLIS (1927): In the future, the society of Metropolis is divided in two social classes: the workers, who live in the underground below the machines level, and the dominant classes that lives in the surface. The workers are controlled by their leader Maria, who wants to find a mediator between the upper class lords and the workers, since she believes that a heart would be necessary between brains and muscles. Maria meets Freder Fredersen, the son of the Lord of Metropolis Johhan Fredersen, in a meeting of the workers, and they fall in love for each other. Meanwhile, Johhan decides that the workers are no longer necessary for Metropolis, and uses a robot pretending to be Maria to promote a revolution of the working class and eliminate them.

Again, seeing it back in 2010 was extraordinary! The stunning resurrection of Fritz Lang’s futuristic film to its epic original cut, a version believed forever lost, began in a modest Buenos Aires cinema museum in the spring of 2008, when a rusted film can turned out to contain a 16mm negative of the entire 150-minute silent film. Spliced together with the 35mm nitrate film, it's now the most complete version of the film ever! It was released on a special edition Blu-Ray and DVD from Kino Lorber.

Ma Shreck in NOSFERATU (1922)

After a quick dinner break, I was back in the front row, awaiting the final movie of the day! NOSFERATU (1922): The story of the film goes as follows: a real estate agent named Knock sends his assistant Hutter to Transylvania to have some paperwork signed by his new client Count Orlok, who just happened to purchase the old, deserted house right across the street from Hutter. However his innocent wife Ellen senses danger on his journey, and she is correct. From the moment he arrives at the Count's castle, strange occurrences unfold, and when Orlock leaves for his new home, the shroud of death follows him across the sea and to his final destination; Wisbourg, Germany. It is here where the lovely Ellen realizes that only she can put an end the Count's reign of terror.

With his rodent-like face, long spider fingers, and soul piercing eyes that will make your skin crawl, Max Shreck's performance as Court Orlock has become an icon in not just silent horror films, but for the horror genre in general. Few can come close to achieve his personification of dread and evil, a creature devoid of humanity and pathos. While the vampire itself has evolved, thanks to actors such as Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman, Klaus Kinski (who stared in the 1979 remake), and Willem Dafoe (who portrays Max Schreck in the 2001 film SHADOWS OF THE VAMPIRE), none have come close to capture the feel of death and darkness  as Schreck achieved back in 1922. The film was released on a special edition Blu-Ray and DVD from Kino Lorber.

And that my friends is a wrap! What a great time I had!! And major props to the Club Foot Orchestra for doing an amazing job providing music for all the films!! I can't wait to come back here to the Castor Theatre for the SFSFF's  A DAY OF SILENTS, which will take place on Saturday, December 1st! Also, mark your calendar for the SFSFF 2019 on May 1st through the 5th!!  Now if you'd like to learn more about the SF Silent Film Festival, and how to become a member, visit their website at www.silentfilm.org.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil sees THE PREDATOR at the Cinelux Almaden Cafe & Lounge - September 14, 2018

In 1987, the film PREDATOR, starring former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, and Shane Black, the film hit theaters and became a huge blockbuster. Combining action, science fiction, and horror, it has become a classic among fans. Then came PREDATOR 2 in 1991. It was OK, but not great. Then came ALIEN VS. PREDATOR and ALIEN VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM in 2004 and 2007 respectively. They both sucked ass. And then came filmmaker Robert Rodriguez's 2010 sequel PREDATORS. It was OK too. It seemed like fans of the franchise were never going to get a film that would be on par with the original. Enter actor Shane Black, who starred in the first film, who teamed up with co-screenwriter Fred Dekker to give us THE PREDATOR, which I saw over at the Cinelux Almaden Cafe & Lounge.

The film's official synopsis: From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.

OK, first things first. DO NOT COMPARE IT TO THE ORIGINAL! Nothing will be better than the first PREDATOR!! NOTHING!! So don't go into the film think it's gonna be a masterpiece of fine cinema, because it is so not. But, if you like your movies filled with blood, violence, raunchy and vulgar language, big explosions, and Olivia Munn running around looking all sexy, then this is right up your alley.

Black keeps the action, humor, and violence fast as lightening with very little emphasis on character development. As I said earlier, he co-wrote the screenplay with the legendary Fred Dekker, the man responsible for two of the greatest 80's films of all time: THE MONSTER SQUAD and NIGHT OF THE CREEPS! Legend has it that both Dekker and Black have been friends for decades and Black recruited his long time friend to help craft the script, filled with generic one-liners, clichés, over-the-top bloodshed, and for some stupid reason, it fucking works.

The cast itself does a nice job of trying to give their respective characters some depth and personality, but the real reason we want to see the movie is the Predators! And in this film, we get not one but two of them! Both look awesome, especially the Mutant Predator! But also, Olivia Munn looks so damn sexy playing nerd doctor Casey Bracket, who also knows how to shoot shotguns and assault rifles. Hey, wait just a second! How the hell does she know how to use a gun? I don't remember the movie explaining this! Oh, forget about it! Just watch Olivia Munn look all sexy and nerdy while she shoots at the Mutant Predator.

So far, the movie hasn't been performing well at the box office. As I am writing this, the movie has only earned $56.6 million worldwide. This isn't good news, since the film's budget was about $208 million, which included advertisements. The film's producer, John Davis, says this movie would set up two more sequels that he hopes Shane Black will direct. Let's see if this comes to fruition.

THE PREDATOR is an entertaining, action packed sci-fi flick that hardcore fans of the franchise will enjoy! But in the end, it's just another typical Hollywood popcorn movie! I was just expecting something more to it is all! 3 out of stars! It's worth a look!

THE PREDATOR is playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Cinelux Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cineluxtheatres.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees THE NUN at the Pruneyard Cinemas Dine-In at the Pruneyard Campbell - September 13, 2018

When the Camera 7 Cinemas closed in the Pruneyard Campbell back in 2017, a piece of me died. This was my home away from home. Even before I started this blog, I practically lived there. I fully supported the Camera Cinemas for years. When it was announced that the theater was going to be closed for a complete remodel, I was hesitant. I knew that when it would reopen, it wasn't going to be the Camera 7 I knew and loved. When it did finally reopened as the Pruneyard Cinemas Dine-In, it felt like a slap in the face. The Camera Cinemas were now extinct, and all I have are the memories. But I was very curious about what it looked like. So, I finally broke down and went to see a movie there. Of course, the first movie I see there would be a horror film. Did you expect anything less of me? After work on Thursday, I went and saw THE NUN, the latest installment of THE CONJURING universe.

The film's official synopsis: When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order's unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in THE CONJURING 2, as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.

The setting of the abbey gave the movie an eerie feel of atmosphere and dread. This was the perfect location to tell the story. It felt like a meld of a Hammer Horror film and a Lucio Fulci Italian movie. This was a my favorite part of this fright flick. The other was the acting.

Our heroine Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) brought that innocence and naiveté that helps our character to grow and become a stronger, powerful instrument of God. Farmiga was the perfect casting choice for bringing character development and depth. And in case you were wondering, yes, she is the younger sister of Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga. Her on-screen chemistry with lead actor Demián Bichir as Father Burke were great, but it's the final showdown with the nun herself, Bonnie Aaron, that proves that she's got the acting chops to be a lead actress. Also, Bichir is one of the scariest freaking nun I've ever seen in a movie before!

Director Corin Hardy got his start making a series of video shorts before making his feature film debut with the 2015 indie horror flick THE HALLOW, which garnered decent reviews. Here, he looks like he takes command of the movie; combining chills, supernatural scares, and atmospheric dread. The only real complaint is the script, which falls into the laps of screenwriters Gary Dauberman and James Wan. I felt like the script needed to be more tightened up, better character arcs, not have the nun appear almost throughout the film, her backstory could've been more imaginative, and better dialogue because, in some scenes, they were a little cringe worthy. Seriously.

As I sit and write this review, the film has already garnered $228.7 million worldwide! And the film's budget was only $22 million! Quite an impressive feat since it only came out on September 7th. This proves that there is an audience for these types of movies. The horror genre has a proven track record; that they can make a studio a lot of money on shoe-string budgets. We as fans want to see horror films, but make sure that there good horror films! And with the success of this movie, it proves that fans are still interested in THE CONJURING universe, so let's keep the fans happy here folks.

THE NUN is a supernatural fright film that will satisfy fans of the THE CONJURING universe! While not a perfect film, it was an entertaining, atmospheric, thrilling ghost story with some truly creepy scares that will chill you to the bone! 3 1/2 out of 5 stars! It's worth a look!

THE NUN is playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Pruneyard Cinemas Dine-In here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.pruneyardcinemas.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!