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Post by theravenking on Sept 10, 2021 13:41:03 GMT
 The Lift (1983) by Dick Maas Due to several freak accidents and deaths taking place in an elevator located inside at huge building complex, an overworked janitor gets called in, to find out what is going on. However, with a recent lightening hitting the electricity box, and a rather unstable new micro-chip technology involved, it seems like the two has somehow joined forces, into creating a certain special kind of evil, which means bad news, for every poor bastard, taking the lift, instead of the stairs.As a kid, I remember very well, that my dad (a former fireman) used to have several graphic books, containing real accidents and situations, one could get into, during a fire, and where a large portion of a chapter, was dedicated to accidents and fires involving elevators, and which includes some absolute nasty pictures of what could or had happened, in an emergency situation. One of the images I will never forget, is one, where an old lady is stuck between a half open elevator, and one of the floors, and yeah, stuff like that, made me scared of taking elevators, for years. Even now, I prefer to take the stairs, and well, it is a good little "exercise", but back then, at my dad and his workplace, they had a couple of very different type of elevators. One small, but very fast. For the firefighters, if in need of hurry, or the much larger and slower one, which was supposed to be for heavy equipment and more personel. Either way, I hated both. Anyway, that book and images, sure was way more creepy and unsettling, than any elevator horror themed movie, I have ever seen. I went in, hoping The Lift would live up to the hilarious poster and movie trailer, expecting a cheesy and fast paced film, but beside a promising beginning, the movie slowed down, and never quite managed to pick up again, with far too much annoying focus on the whole relationship between the janitor and his jeleaous wife, and I would rather love to see more of the building and its inhabitants. Anyway, the movie I picked up last week, was quite a Norwegian VHS rental tape history, from the Videoteket store in Kristiansand, and which smelled and sure looked like it had been seen and rewinded quite a few times over. Lots of shacking image going on, and it also contained a few neat trailers (before it all started) from films like Above the Law and Lethal Weapon. Dick Maas would later on, go onto remake this film, but I am not sure if I have seen it, or if it is of any worth to go look it up. All in all, I probably went in, with a bit too much hope for something far more cheesy and campy, and yeah, it just never lived up to that great looking poster and tagline. Still, I am kind of glad, I finally were able to see it, and on VHS as well. Not sure if I will ever purchased the rather pricy DVD/Blu-ray combo, from Blue Underground, that were given a release a couple of years ago, but I could understand why it has quite a cult following. For other films of Maas, I much more prefer the hilarious and very fast paced action-thriller, Do Not Disturb (1999) with William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly, Michael Chicklis and Denis Leary, set in Amsterdam and what ends up as quite an unforgettable little vacation for the Americans. 5/10 I've been meaning to watch this, because I really enjoyed Amsterdamned and Do Not Disturb. Disappointed to hear that it's not very good, but then the remake seems to have turned out even worse.
I just bought Saint also from Dick Maas, about an evil version of St. Nicholas (Santa Clause), which I'm going to watch for the October challenge.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 11, 2021 15:13:03 GMT
 Blue Jay (2016) Other then a baffling conclusion, Blue Jay is a very simple and by-the-numbers indie-made survival-thriller of crazy mountain men who terrorise a hiking couple on a mountain trek. Beautifully pristine mountain locations, and a solid lead performance by Sara Lindsey (who also co-wrote the story) anchor this one. Watched on Tubi. 
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Post by Dramatic Look Gopher on Sept 11, 2021 18:27:31 GMT
Blue Jay (2016) Other then a baffling conclusion, Blue Jay is a very simple and by-the-numbers indie-made survival-thriller of crazy mountain men who terrorise a hiking couple on a mountain trek. Beautifully pristine mountain locations, and a solid lead performance by Sara Lindsey (who also co-wrote the story) anchor this one. Watched on Tubi. Not to be confused with another 2016 movie called Blue Jay, which is a romantic drama. Anyway, this does look like an interesting Deliverance-type thriller.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 11, 2021 22:52:18 GMT
Blue Jay (2016) Other then a baffling conclusion, Blue Jay is a very simple and by-the-numbers indie-made survival-thriller of crazy mountain men who terrorise a hiking couple on a mountain trek. Beautifully pristine mountain locations, and a solid lead performance by Sara Lindsey (who also co-wrote the story) anchor this one. Watched on Tubi. Not to be confused with another 2016 movie called Blue Jay, which is a romantic drama. Anyway, this does look like an interesting Deliverance-type thriller. It is well-made (as by the trailer), and worth a look if you dig these type of Deliverance-like films. I think the film was trying for some metaphysical aspects, but I found these elements more confusing than clear.
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Post by Dramatic Look Gopher on Sept 12, 2021 4:06:28 GMT
Not to be confused with another 2016 movie called Blue Jay, which is a romantic drama. Anyway, this does look like an interesting Deliverance-type thriller. It is well-made (as by the trailer), and worth a look if you dig these type of Deliverance-like films. I think the film was trying for some metaphysical aspects, but I found these elements more confusing than clear. I watched Blue Jay tonight. Not bad; it is by-the-numbers as you mentioned, and it is somewhat predictable as well, but the acting was tremendous. I agree that Sara Lindsey was solid, and so was that guy who played Jute.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 13, 2021 14:57:14 GMT
I've been meaning to watch this, because I really enjoyed Amsterdamned and Do Not Disturb. Disappointed to hear that it's not very good, but then the remake seems to have turned out even worse. I just bought Saint also from Dick Maas, about an evil version of St. Nicholas (Santa Clause), which I'm going to watch for the October challenge. Yeah, I most likely went in, expecting something much else, and instead ended up with, well, not a terrible movie, but still one that just never reached my hopes of entertainment. Might have to give it another go later, but doubt it will change all that much. However, Amsterdamned looks like a more fast paced release, and I sure enjoyed the scenery of Amsterdam, so I guess that will be my next destination of Dick Maas and his films. Saint? Never heardd of, but any evil Santa Clause movie, as an opposite to all the cute and sugary ones, is worth checking up, at least have a small peak, and the decide if it might be something to, yeah, add onto the October challenge this fall.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 13, 2021 15:14:15 GMT
 Mindwarp (1992) by Steve Barnett
Set into the future, and where most of the human population that is still alive after the huge nuclear war, seems to be completely hooked inside a virtual "paradise" 24/7. However, not everyone shares this kind of enthusiasm about dreaming their lives away, and instead wants to head out into the real world, and see what is has to offer.
A film I have been wanting to check out, for quite some time. I guess most of if, comes from knowing it stars cult-figures like Bruce Campbell and Angus Scrimm, but also the awesome movie poster and title, has somehow always been around, and when I finally got the 2021 Blu-ray release by Eureka!, I was probably a bit too overexticed about it all. Well, it opened up rather interestingly. Not that far away of films like Total Recall (1990), but sadly, it did not stay there for long. Instead it moved with great pace, into some kind of a Mad Max post apocalyptic setting, until Bruce arrives to "save" the day, and all of a sudden, we are thrown into some dark and muddy hell hell, where you have mutants and bloodthirsty sadistic creatures, and where a cult leader seems to be operating a very nasty way of an "alternative" to normal living. Sure, there is lots of gore and blood, quite an impressive display of that I must say. But once we go deep underground, I felt it was not just to show of the gore and blood stuff, but to save money, and the story just never reached where I was hoping it would maybe go, instead I very early realized who was behind it all, and yeah, I wished they would have focused more on the virtual reality and sci-fi part, but sure, it was most likely cheaper to go the usual horror/monster in the dark dungeoun style. The Blu-ray, did feature also a neat booklet, where I did not read everything through, but picked up an article, I think out of an old Fangoria magazine, and that included a portion of why Bruce Campbell hoped he would get different movie roles, sent to him, not just horror and b-movie related titles. I guess it was hard for him, to distance himself from the huge sucess and popularity of Ash and the Evil Dead franchise, at least among horror fans, but in Mindwarp, he sure plays a far more serious character, not the first time or the last I guess, but it seems people prefer the goofier version, with the one-liners and not the complete opposite. Of course, this was taken several decades ago, and I am sure he is glad his horror legacy among fans, is still alive and kicking. But as an actor, I guess you do not want to limit your option too much, and that was probably what he meant, more or less. Anyway, the blood and gore effects, are gruesomely delivered, no question about it, but sadly the character and story, kind of is just a bit too flat and uneven, and I lost interest probably too early in, but might have to re-watch it one day, maybe I will be in a better mood then. 5,5/10
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 13, 2021 15:22:30 GMT
 Consistently underrated Cronenberg/King joint. Christopher Walken and Brooke Adams have instant chemistry, giving the film an inescapable, tragic quality. I'm consistently taken aback by how much this film resonates with each viewing. 8/10 Love the movie poster, such a shame neither of the DVDs I own, seems to agree with me. And instead includes some rather shady/sheap artwork design. Anyway, nice to see the love for this absolute solid supernatural thriller. Saw it during last years October Challenge, so I might not do a re-watch this fall, but of course, I have done so many times over, and it never fails to deliver the goods. Speaking of Walken and sci-fi/horror films, I ended up watching an Alien themed late 80s release, called Communion last night. Idiotic timing, as I was very sleepy, and passed away on the coach, several times into the movie. Not sure how much I lost of the plot/story, but from time to time, these creepy masks and small figures arrived, and then you had Walken, being Walken, dancing, singing? and shouting, and I love that, but the film just were a bit too "much" for me, to take in yesterday.  However, it was directed by Philippe Mora (the guy behind Howling 2 and 3), so I should realized it was not gonna be your "typical" sci-fi movie.
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Post by Anonymous Andy on Sept 13, 2021 19:08:21 GMT
Consistently underrated Cronenberg/King joint. Christopher Walken and Brooke Adams have instant chemistry, giving the film an inescapable, tragic quality. I'm consistently taken aback by how much this film resonates with each viewing. 8/10 Love the movie poster, such a shame neither of the DVDs I own, seems to agree with me. And instead includes some rather shady/sheap artwork design. Anyway, nice to see the love for this absolute solid supernatural thriller. Saw it during last years October Challenge, so I might not do a re-watch this fall, but of course, I have done so many times over, and it never fails to deliver the goods. Speaking of Walken and sci-fi/horror films, I ended up watching an Alien themed late 80s release, called Communion last night. Idiotic timing, as I was very sleepy, and passed away on the coach, several times into the movie. Not sure how much I lost of the plot/story, but from time to time, these creepy masks and small figures arrived, and then you had Walken, being Walken, dancing, singing? and shouting, and I love that, but the film just were a bit too "much" for me, to take in yesterday. However, it was directed by Philippe Mora (the guy behind Howling 2 and 3), so I should realized it was not gonna be your "typical" sci-fi movie. I don't know if you're Region 1 capable, but the recently released Scream Factory blu-ray restores the original poster art (via reversible sleeve). I agree, it's a simple yet striking piece of movie art. I've never seen Communion but now I kinda want to. 😄 |
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Post by Anonymous Andy on Sept 13, 2021 19:13:06 GMT
 A slow-burner with a worthy payoff. The back half feels like a Hammer or Corman Poe adaptation dragged into the '80s and it is absolutely awesome. Tom McLoughlin was hired for Friday the 13th Pt. VI: Jason Lives and it shows. The fact that Adam West is one of the least interesting elements at play tells you just about all you need to know. 8/10 |
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Post by Anonymous Andy on Sept 13, 2021 19:31:41 GMT
 (Don't Torture a Duckling) Honestly, I'm always a little lukewarm on Fulci, but this one stands head and shoulders among most of his more notorious work. Less gross and more stylized, nowhere is this more evident than in the extended torture scene that is notable not for its violence but for the rockin' soundtrack that accompanies it. I imagine a young Tarantino took notes furiously during this film. 8/10 |
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Post by Anonymous Andy on Sept 13, 2021 19:38:29 GMT
 (Death Walks at Midnight) A damn fine giallo riff on Rear Window that injects a super model and psychedelic drugs into the mix. 8/10 |
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 14, 2021 12:26:44 GMT
Wow, a lot of potential and interesting titles you have seen/posted here Andy.
A few of those, I think might come in handy later this fall, and will try to hunt down those I want to see, if I can find them lying around that is.
Anyway, thanks for the reviews, as for myself, I might take a little break with the horror watch for now, kind of "starving" myself for the challenge, so that I am more than ready to get going.
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Post by Anonymous Andy on Sept 14, 2021 16:07:52 GMT
Wow, a lot of potential and interesting titles you have seen/posted here Andy. A few of those, I think might come in handy later this fall, and will try to hunt down those I want to see, if I can find them lying around that is. Anyway, thanks for the reviews, as for myself, I might take a little break with the horror watch for now, kind of "starving" myself for the challenge, so that I am more than ready to get going. Thanks! I am on a bit of a giallo kick leading into October, and these last two are rewatches. I've found that these films often get better with a second viewing. |
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 14, 2021 16:18:53 GMT
Thanks! I am on a bit of a giallo kick leading into October, and these last two are rewatches. I've found that these films often get better with a second viewing. Giallo is another theme I could be in for next month, as there is just so much I have not seen, or want to, and then all those I feel I should re-visit, or as you said, they do have a tendency to grow on you, with a another go. I remember one, which I have still not seen, but always meant to, whenever that might happen. Maybe I will be lucky enough to find a decent copy lying around for free? Anyway, I think it had the english title of: The House with the Laughing WindowsIt sure sounded promising, but never got around to give it a watch. But this was way back in 2011 or 12. At least, I know that I will dig out a few of my favorite Argento films, and a few of those I feel might benefit with another round.
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Post by Anonymous Andy on Sept 14, 2021 16:40:11 GMT
 Speaking of movies that beg a second viewing... It's not a giallo but it's set in Italy and features grief as the antagonist. Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie sell the drama with two powerful performances, while the canals have never looked grimier. Also, that reveal in the final five minutes gets me every time (it's right up there with the hospital scene from Exorcist III for me). 9/10 |
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 14, 2021 16:43:26 GMT
Speaking of movies that beg a second viewing... It's not a giallo but it's set in Italy and features grief as the antagonist. Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie sell the drama with two powerful performances, while the canals have never looked grimier. Also, that reveal in the final five minutes gets me every time (it's right up there with the hospital scene from Exorcist III for me). 9/10 I think I must just copy, pretty much every single film you watch as of recently, Andy.  As this is just another one, that I am pretty damn sure, will come in handy, with a second view. The first time I saw it, I guess I was expecting something "different", but ended up with, well I rated it not that high, but already then, I knew it was not the film that was disappointing, it was probably me, watching it in the wrong mood or time. I had already seen 2-3 films earlier tha day, and lying in bed, in the middle of the night, is not always the wisest choice when trying to get through a horror film, which, well, I think it was not the most fast paced one, but again, it is such a long time since I saw it, and this I must surely do something about.
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🎄😷🎄 on Sept 15, 2021 15:34:55 GMT
Don't Breathe 2 (2021) More suspense than horror, and not the tension-fest the first one was, but it was okay. 
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Post by gspdude on Sept 17, 2021 14:23:26 GMT
 Jakob's Wife(2021). Barbara Crampton as a preacher's wife who is bitten by a Vampire. Expected changes ensue, with a fair amount of dark comedy mixed in. Nice to see Barbara still doing horror and still seductive. 6/10. |
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Post by politicidal on Sept 17, 2021 14:45:48 GMT
A Quiet Place Part Two (2021). I liked the first movie but this one just hit the ground running. The first ten, twelve minutes are incredible. And the rest is just great.
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