Monday 18 March 2024

Mimic (1997) Review ​

 

A cockroach-spread plague threatens to destroy New York's children. Trying to stop it, entomologist Susan Tyler creates a mutant breed of insect, but unwittingly unleashes a mutant type that can mimic humans.


Despite some infamous behind the scenes wrangling with the producers director Guillermo del Toro's craftsmanship in this 1997 offering is commendable with him masterfully creating an atmospheric chiller. Guillermo doesn't shy away from delivering stomach-turning scenes, showcasing his knack for blending horror and suspense.


The performances from the lead cast members including Mira Sorvino and Jeremy Northam are solid, familiar faces like Charles S. Dutton and Giancarlo Giannini add depth to the narrative. Josh Brolin, F. Murray Abraham as Dr. Gates and Norman Reedus also appear. Albeit some characters feel a tad underdeveloped. Amongst the tension and action setups, thanks to some smart writing, Sorvino is memorable here as she mostly plays against the usual lead in peril tropes.


The film's pacing does have its ups and downs, occasionally affecting the overall flow. That said, there's convincing special effects - insect monsters, and unborn things in dark places, combined with brooding shots of dank, cluttered spaces that are accompanied by a fitting creepy score by Marco Beltrami.


Overall, despite some shortcomings in pacing and character arcs, Mimic stands as a testament to del Toro's directorial prowess. It's a film that immerses you in its eerie world, leaving a lasting impression with its scary and unforgettable moments. Recommended.

Sunday 10 March 2024

Cheerleader Camp (1988) Review

 

A group of spirited cheerleaders find themselves in the crosshairs of a serial killer amidst the isolation of a remote summer camp.


Cheerleader Camp, also known as Bloody Pom Pom, is a spirited romp through the realm of slasher cinema. Director John Quinn offers a competent mishmash of horror elements, drawing inspiration from A Nightmare on Elm Street with its many dream sequences, Friday the 13th, and Sleepaway Camp. However, what sets it apart is its distinct 80s sexually suggestive charm, with hints of Porky's, Revenge of the Nerds and Screwballs embracing nakedness at every opportunity with unapologetic Slumber Party Massacre-like flair. This blend of horror, breakdancing, cheerleading routines and titillation creates a unique atmosphere throughout.


Lead by the captivating performances from Betsy Russell as troubled Alison, Teri Weigel (as Pamela Bently) and Rebecca Ferratti (as Theresa Salazar), the film is not just a showcase of their acting prowess but also their undeniable beauty, adding an extra layer of allure to the movie. Lucinda Dickey, known for her role in Ninja III: The Domination and Lorie Griffin of Teen Wolf makes a notable appearances, further enriching the cast with their presence. Cult actor George 'Buck' Flower (Back to the Future, They Live) and as sun bathing Suzy, Krista Pflanzer of Electric Blue fame also appear. Love interest Leif Garrett and funny Travis McKenna also deserve a mention.


Overall, despite its reliance on familiar tropes, Cheerleader Camp manages to entertain with its energetic pacing, kill count and playful execution. It doesn't take itself too seriously, embracing its campiness while delivering thrills and chills in equal measure. With its blend of beauty, horror, and saucy charm, Quinn offers a nostalgic trip back to the 80s, making it a delight for fans of the genre.

Sunday 3 March 2024

Dune: Part Two (2024) Review

 

Spurred on by revenge as Paul embraces Fremen ways, he must battle against all odds while wrangling with a Fremen prophecy that could change Arrakis and its people forever.


Director Denis Villeneuve's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to balance grand spectacle with intimate character moments elevate the adaptation of Frank Herbert's work to new heights. Although Dune didn't stand on its own, thankfully, the studio greenlit Dune Part Two. It's an epic continuation that masterfully explores the intricate dynamics of power, destiny, and familial bonds.


Interestingly, Timothy Chalamet's portrayal of Paul Atreides echoes at times Oscar Isaac's depiction of Duke Leto Atreides, making you buy into their father-son relationship. Chalamet gives a powerful performance, conveying the weight of his responsibilities, drawing viewers deeper into the rich tapestry of the Dune universe.


Along with the score, the visual effects make it an immersive experience, from the vast landscapes of Arrakis to the intricate designs of the sandworms. Oozing screen presence, leads Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, and Austin Butler add a genuine sense of danger. Along with Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem's compelling performance as Stilgar adds depth to the ensemble cast. As well as the supporting cast leads Léa Seydoux, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken are notable. Also, it was nice to see Babs Olusanmokun 'fittingly' return as Jamis even if briefly. Jason Momoa and Stephen McKinley Henderson are missed even if their absence is expected.


Overall, with its gripping storyline, stellar performances, and stunning visuals, Villeneuve's offering solidifies itself as a great piece of science fiction cinema, but like the first Dune, it leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the next chapter.

Thursday 22 February 2024

One More Saturday Night (1986) Review

 

Life on a Saturday night in St. Cloud gets wackier with hijinks and shenanigans as the evening progresses.

Written and starring Al Franken and Tom Davis (known for 'Trading Places' and 'SNL'), director Dennis Klein does his best with a script that required just a little more polish. Surprisingly, Dan Ackroyd also acted as executive producer on this coming-of-age drama comedy, which is a broken-up tale. The main relationship of Diane and her jock boyfriend plot isn't focal enough, the hilarious father date, the babysitting house party, ear-piercing thief subplot, and Diane's brother using 'The Great Escape' to help him track down a robber. Even if some outcomes are unexpected, Franken and Davis' subplots are not rounded and don't intertwine enough to make for a clever romp, but they are nonetheless entertaining.

Stunning actress Nan Woods, channeling Molly Ringwald, does her best with what she's given, knocking it out of the park when it comes to talking about her mother. Chelcie Ross as Dad Ludhal is notable as Diane's father on his first date.

On the backdrop of a great soundtrack One More Saturday Night's setups are there, with a few laugh-out-loud one-liners littered throughout. But the execution and pacing is bumpy, with the feeling that it has a lot to say, but says nothing at all. That said, the small town vibe, the uncensored, innocent lack of political correctness of the 80s that means no harm is refreshing. Reminiscent of 'Secret of My Success,' 'Career Opportunities,' 'Bachelor Party,' and 'Adventures in Babysitting,' to name a few (only on a lower budget), making Klein's offering an interesting time capsule of sorts.

Overall, while Klein's obscure, forgotten comedy is hit and miss, it oozes nostalgia and 80s vibes, and worth watching for that alone.

Wednesday 21 February 2024

Alligator (1980) Review ​

 

A Chicago police officer and a reptile expert track an enormous, ravenous man-eating alligator flushed down the toilet years earlier.


Alligator, the 1980 creature feature, emerges as a delightful amalgamation of suspense and wit, borrowing elements from the iconic Jaws franchise, Grizzly (1976), Orca (1977) and Piranha (1978) while carving its own niche in the realm of creature horror. Director Lewis Teague balances the film's tone with equal parts tension and humour, that echoes the best moments from "Jaws" and "Jaws 2." John Sayles script's offers smart dialogue and a sense of realism. Indeed, the film's ability to blend the dialogue with effective effects and spirited performances elevates it above mere imitation, earning it recognition as a B-level gem. Sayles' screenplay cleverly capitalises on the primal fear of nature run amok in an urban setting.


Robert Forster stars as David Madison, a detective haunted by the loss of his partner and faced with a threat doubted by others. Beyond the typical hero, Forster's personal request to address his thinning hair through running jokes in the script adds an extra layer of humanity to the character. Forster's portrayal anchors the film with a compelling performance, injecting a sense of gravitas and charisma into the narrative supported by a large capable cast including Robin Riker as Marisa Kendall, Michael Gazzo, and Henry Silva also makes an appearance.


Despite its categorisation as a 'rip-off' film in the wake of Jaws' success, Alligator stands tall as an intelligent and stylish entry in the creature horror genre. Overall, With its balance of genuine scares and tongue-in-cheek humour, Alligator proves to be a memorable and entertaining ride, deserving of its cult status among fans of creature cinema.

Tuesday 30 January 2024

Link (1986) Review ​


 
An American student takes a summer job at a doctor's cliffside seaside house where he keeps apes; however, she finds herself trapped and in danger when one of the apes, due for destruction, turns bad.

A young Elisabeth Shue, as Jane Chase, effectively carries the film along with the lead chimp Imp (Jed) and antagonist killer ape Link, played by Locke, an Orangutan (dyed black). Terence Stamp's screen time is limited; however, he leaves a lasting impression as the cavalier Dr. Steven Phillip.

The cliffside house setting and locations give the film a distinctive atmosphere. Director Richard Franklin delivers plenty of ape action, capturing both their intelligence and strength. There's a nice touch with an early intuitive computer that allows further communication between the apes and their human counterparts. This comes into play, injecting anxiety into the closing act. The blood is limited, and the body count is low. There’s some brief nudity and Franklin's focus is on Link as a thriller rather than a horror.

Also to Franklin's credit, the apes do their own performances; there doesn't appear to be any people in suits, and made in 1986, it thankfully predates CGI. Lapses in continuity (possibly due to cut scenes or editing) tarnish some of Shue's reactions. The soundtrack is fitting, but surprisingly, Jerry Goldsmith's Gremlin-like score mars some of the atmosphere, on occasion dampening the tension and suspense. Kevin Lloyd's Bailey is memorable, even if his appearance is fleeting. The final act where David, Jane's boyfriend (played by Steven Pinner) and two friends arrive makes for a few shocks. In addition, the ending has a satisfying subtle eerie visual twist that can be easily missed.

What's impressive, unintentionally or not, is the ambiguity of writers Lee David Zlotoff, Tom Ackermann, and Everett De Roche's offering, as it raises some questions around Link's history; the demise of Phillip and Imp's role throughout.

Overall, underrated Link is an effective enough thriller, recommended certainly for the apes and Shue's performance.

Sunday 28 January 2024

Masters of the Universe: Revolution (2024) Review

Possible Spoilers… 

 After a death changes Eternia forever, further unlikely alliances must rebuild and bring balance to Eternia.

 In Revolution Kevin Smith and company again offers a great written series with an outstanding voice cast and fantastic animation. Again, the story tone is dark, with a main character’s death in the first episode! Season 2’s episodes, like its predecessor, are not self-contained, with a continual story. 

There are plenty of twists, high stakes, and emotional shenanigans on the backdrop of Eternia’s magic versus technology. Once again it sadly drops the visual aesthetics and wonderful backgrounds of the 1980s original series, but beggars can’t be choosers. The main thing is that we get a continuation of the original series, and season 2 continues to deliver. 

 There are even more callbacks and nods to other media, stories, characters, comics, figures, even the film; including Keldor, Hordak, Gwildor, She-Ra, and even Stone-Dar appears. The voice cast is worthy of a live-action film. Outstanding Mark Hamill and Lena Headey return, to name a few, and some have been replaced (but you wouldn’t tell, including Melissa Benoist replacing Sarah Michelle Gellar as Teela). New voice actors notably include the excellent William Shatner; Keith David; Meg Foster; Liam Cunningham; Gates McFadden and more.

 Overall, Revolution may not visually be exactly what old school fans want, but it continues to inject new life, connect dots, and offer world-building stories to the Masters of the Universe. Highly recommended.

Tuesday 16 January 2024

Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires (2018) Review


 Chuck Steel, a no-nonsense maverick renegade cop, is pitted against a horde of vampire-like beings who feast upon the blood of those who are drunk.


Writer and director Mike Mort offers vibes reminiscent of Lethal Weapon, Last Action Hero and Kung Fury in this stop-motion animated action comedy horror film. In addition to the aforementioned, the film parodies and pays homage to a slew of live-action films of the 1980s. The frame rate is so good that there are moments that'll trick you into thinking they could be people in masks. It's a work of art (geared for adults) with a technique that equals, if not surpasses, similar contemporaries. Although some of the voice work is a little bumpy, the majority is on point including the likes of comedians Jennifer Saunders and Paul Whitehouse.


It's on an epic scale with hundreds of characters and creatures, and dozens of scale-model sets. The craftsmanship of the production is clearly there for all to see. There are laughs to be had amidst the gore, explosions, and hails of bullets. It's wild, outlandish, and over-the-top, with mind-blowing animation that's blood-soaked and oozing fun throughout.


Fantastic work, as well as an enjoyable film. Highly recommend.

Sunday 14 January 2024

Uninvited (1988) Review

 

A criminal multimillionaire, passengers, and crew bound for the Cayman Islands are terrorized by an escaped test subject mutant cat.


Director-writer Greydon Clark offers a novel idea that may have been better set at night, as the daylight scenes take away some much-needed atmosphere, if only to hide some of the dodgy practical special effects. What starts off as hopeful B-fodder, becomes very messy, despite its sparseness. Oddly, it would appear that the far superior 'Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan' borrows plenty of beats from Clark’s 'Uninvited.'


There’s no getting away from Travis Clark & Tom Gunn’s bumpy editing, the thin script, and various clunky production issues; even lines are repeated unnecessarily taken from multiple takes and the like, possibly to pad out the running time.


Both Toni Hudson as Rachel and Clare Carey as Bobbie (usually bikini-clad) are notable. Alex Cord, as sleazy Walter Graham, is memorable. Acting veteran George Kennedy seems as surprised to be in the film as we are to see him. Clu Gulager is unrecognizable but gives an outlandish performance as assassin Albert. The unwanted attention by Cord’s Walter is genuinely creepier than some of the jump scares; in one scene, Carey in her aerobics attire offers a scene-stealing performance when dealing with a Walter’s advances. 


The shortcomings of the 1980s effects are much better and more ingenious than the majority of poor CGI seen over the last 20 years. Also, the Halloween-like theme and much of the score by Dan Slider are highlight of the film. However, with no irony, the true scene-stealer throughout is the excellent cat.


The main issues aside, including its unevenness, is that it lacks anyone to really root for, as anyone with a hint of likability is picked off early. Still, it’s good 80’s B-movie fun, but far from a cult classic.

Friday 29 December 2023

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023) Review

 

A settlement on a distant moon finds itself threatened by a tyrannical ruling army, strangers from across planets band together to stop them.


Director Zack Snyder hodgepodge draws inspiration from ancient Rome to Old English epic poems, real-world history, and more, echoing Westerns, Seven Samurai, Tolkien, and Frank Herbert, among others. Borrowing elements from Star Wars, Chronicles of Riddick, and Battle Beyond the Stars, Snyder excels in blending this diverse mix into a visually hard-hitting, coherent, and entertaining ride that holds potential for the beginnings of something special.


Sofia Boutella as Kora is notable, alongside the likeable cast ensemble. Ed Skrein as antagonist Admiral Atticus Noble makes for a memorable character. Both Charlie Hunnam and Michiel Huisman deserve a mention. Anthony Hopkin's dulcet tones as the voice of mechanical knight of Jimmy is a fitting addition.


Granted, there are moments of overkill, along with lingering slow-motion scenes. While the costumes are intricate and beautifully made, they never distinctly define the differences between the players, especially in the case of the rebels Nevertheless, with a few twists and an abundance of flashbacks and exposition thrown in, the synergy between acting, special effects, Tom Holkenborg's score and staging contributes to the film's overall compelling and immersive nature. 


Highly recommended science fiction -take a look for yourself.