The Horror Library - The Best in Horror Fiction

Mini Movie Reviews
By R.J. Cavender

'Now, I don't want to give anything away'...
Mini Movie Reviews
by RJ Cavender

DECEMBER 2005

RATINGS

- PUTRID TRASH

- THAT WHICH DOESN'T KILL YOU...

- EH. NOT TOO BAD. PASSABLE.

- VERY GOOD, IF NOT GREAT.

- INCREDIBLE, POSSIBLY A CLASSIC!

Wolf Creek (2005)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...this was one disturbing film to watch. Based on true events in the outback of Australia, this film takes awhile to get rolling, but once it does the gloves are off for sure. The second half of the movie held the audience I saw it with rigid in their seats with shock and dreaded anticipation. Reminiscent of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Last House On The Left" this films almost documentary look lends a certain immediacy to the violent acts of brutality that follow. Certainly exploitative, and brutally violent, this film is not a 'feel good' teen slasher. I'm reluctant to say much more about this film, as not to give anything else away. But, I will say that the casting and direction on this film were excellent. The feeling of isolation that first time director Greg McLean captured using large expansive shots of the seemingly endless Aussie outback added such a genuine feeling of loss and desperation, and that's something that certainly elevated this film from worthwhile to outstanding. A truly terrifying study in fear.

Lost Things (2003)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...this is another Australia offering I watched this month, one with an interesting look and feel of it's own. Four friends head out on a surfing trip to a deserted stretch of beach, and slowly things start to turn sinister and trippy. The plot twists and turns in several different directions, and at times it seems like the script is close to making little sense at all. But, the payoff of the ending is well worth staying on through this interesting and inventive little gem. A great pick for viewers who like a bit of surreal mystery with their storylines. A very different and original cerebral suspense film.

The Halfway House (2004)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...this new offering from director Kenneth J. Hall, creator of the original "The Puppet Master" is a hilarious throwback to the glorious days of direct-to-video 'boobs and blood' films of years past. Part 'reform school girls/women in prison' schlock, part 'b-movie there's-something-in-the-basement' with a nod to Lovercraft...this film is an over-the-top send-up of every hokey horror film you ever watched late night on Cinemax in the 80's. Genre icon Mary Woronov puts in a great performance as, of all things, a nun...and really gets a chance to camp it up for a sacrificial ending that borders on the spectacularly absurd. Wonderfully fun and clever in ways that any horror fan could appreciate!

Cry Wolf (2005)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...this feature was much better than I expected it to be. I'll admit I shied away from seeing this one at the theater only because it got slammed so bad by critics of all sorts. What's the problem, I ask. I found this film to be completely entertaining, if not totally original, at least it was fast paced and full of dynamic performances. I mean, there aren't too many 'teen' movies out there where the kids actually look high school aged...not like 30 year old Hollywood actors. This film worked for me, on many levels. Sure, it could fit in with many of the teen set like 'Scream' and 'I Know What You Did Last Summer', but that's not such bad company considering those films haven't been matched or rivaled in that genre in the last few years. Sure, it's not a horror classic...but, it held my attention for every minute it was on. Not too may teen slasher films have done so recently, so I'll have to give this one high recommendations for sure!

Murderball (2005)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...despite this film's title, it's not a horror movie at all. It is, however, the best documentary I've seen all year...so I thought it only fitting that I review it here. This film follows the U.S. Quadriplegic Rugby team as they compete in several championships, but most of the struggles and trials are really more internal. This film just really got to me in a way that few documentaries do. This isn't a movie about athletes who overcome a handicap. These are not people to be pitied, as most of these guys could easily kick your ass, wheelchair or not. This is just a movie about guys. Guys who go on living, no matter what happens. For sure, a movie I would recommend to just about anyone.

Reefer Madness: The Musical (2005)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...I'll say this loud and clear...I LIKED A MUSICAL! Yep, this one was a whole lot of fun. Based upon the instructional/exploitation film from the 30's, this updated musical is more fun that a whole basketful of 'giggle-sticks'. If you've never seen the original, I'd probably recommend it before seeing this version just because there are so many in-jokes and recreations of scenes that you might appreciate more. The opening scene for this movie was one of the best I've seen in years. Not to be missed!

Zombie (1979)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...I guess some films just age better than others. Some may call be a bastard for saying so, but from this film alone I just don't get what all the buzz about Fulci was about. For being made over ten years after the original 'Night of the Living Dead' I have to say in NO WAY does this film even live up to the spectacular and potentially unequaled genius that Romero's classic achieved. In comparison, this film looks like it was shot by teenagers. It has it's moments, but those are few and far between. This film just weighed upon my patience. Blah...

Side Fx (2005)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...this one had promise, for the first ten minutes. Things slowly began to crap out from that point on. Is this the third or fourth 'things go horribly wrong at a rave' films I've seen? I can't even recall, as none of them have even been remotely watchable films. This movie just seemed to have an identity crisis. Is it a vampire movie, or a zombie movie, or a drugs-gone-wrong film? It was a bad film, 'nuff said...I'll be trying to block this out of my memory for awhile.

Rasen (1998)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...this sequel to 'Ringu' falls about as flat as anything I could ever imagine. It's just too talky, and the action sequences are so few and far between...and hardly even present at all. It's sad when American sequels outdo the original. But, this one is a real dud. I struggled to even stay awake.

Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005)
Now, I don't want to give anything away, but...I'm not sure which was worse, this version or the first prequel "Exorcist: The Beginning". I mean, same ideas, same locations, but different cast...none of that really matters. This was just boring, drawn out, poorly written. Let's just let this series die out for good and spare the movie-going audiences any more of these poor excuses for films.