Gravendal Reviews

Dagon (2001)

The best H.P Lovecraft movie of all time

[10/10 · 13 May 2024]

There is so many good H. P Lovecraft movies, adaptions and more but in my opinion this one is the best, or at least one of the best because it ain't just got Brian Yuzna and Stuart Gordon but a whole cast of great actors and the last role of Francisco Rabal.

I ain't going to spoil it and tell you more then the basic, it's about a man, his wife and another couple on a boat and outside of a small village of Spain and the boat smashes into a couple of rocks forcing them to leave the boat.

From here we have a growing atmospheric horror with great scenes, great lore, awesome story telling and the atmosphere in this movie is just lovely. Same feeling when playing a resident evil game, or any other awesome survival game with atmosphere.

The scenes and locations, the camera angles and the acting. It goes lo together which creates, Yeah awesome atmosphere. I will probably say that a couple of more times but this movie really captures it.

Oh and not forget the soundtrack. It really puts the dot above the i and fits so well creating more atmosphere.

I have watched it many many times, enjoy it every time and i will watch this movie many many more times. It's a real classic!

Project: Metalbeast (1995)

Enjoyable movie, why the low rating?

[7/10 · 2 May 2024]

First I can say is that for being a budget movie and i am watching it 2024 i got to day it really surprised me and was an enjoyable movie which was way smarter then people give it credit, and way better.

Shout out: smart dialogs, smart plot details, good characters, nice effects and light for a budget movie. It explains stuff for the plot and the technical stuff ain't just made up stuff but actually pretty reasonable

That is also what it is, a budget movie but a really good budget movie.

Spoilerless plot, its about a captured werewolf going bananas in a laboratory, after they have given him iron skin.

Enjoyable werewolf movie.

The Misfit Brigade (1987)

It's not the best..

[8/10 · 10 March 2024]

But it brings life to Sven Hassel's work.

It's a good adaption of his writing and captures the joy and horrors of the war. The fellow soldiers that became good friends, the fellow soldiers they lose on the way and the sad and good times which comes with all of it.

The movie is about a group of misfits, people who the third Reich didn't like and put in penal divisions and sent to the front for suicide missions. They are criminals, communists, scammers, deserters or political prisoners, all fighting to try to survive another day on the eastern front against the Soviet.

It's filled with humor, fights, sadness, action and some shenanigans. A war movie to enjoy if you are into the books just to see Little Brother, Porta, old man, the legioner come to life.

Merlin (1998)

Better then I thought

[8/10 · 10 March 2024]

Magic, old gods, medieval England and dragons! And it's from the 90s so I had like no expectations because this could be Xena Warrior princess or Hercules quality but oh boy did this movie prove me wrong! Or...at least from time to time..

This movie is about the birth of England, not exactly how the real legend of King Arthur but it's well build all around it and it has the history and the lore there.

As for the movie itself, or mini tv show whatever they want to call this - i really enjoyed it. Its cheesy, its 90s effects and dragons, and I can say that the effects in this movie are way better than most modern fantasy movies with way higher budget. They did well with what they got.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Overrated

[5/10 · 10 March 2024]

As a fan of the first movie and can appreciate a good slow story builded movie but this? Ok for it's best but unfortunately this ain't the blade runner movie I enjoyed.

Ryan Gosling plays his character well, he and his ai girlfriends relationship was good stuff but the rest of it all are slow and boring, like the story try to be deep but it ain't - you know 10 minutes in the movie half of the story and from there it gets boring.

I've tried watching this movie twice now and first time I quit 1/3 through, this time I spent watching it all and 1 hour 50 in I am still going, ok boring.

It is trying to have a style and a soul, but fails due to trying to be so special and unique or how I am now going to say that. Scenes doesn't really make sense and no, that's because I don't understand the "depth" in it - it's just from scene to scene quite stupid! I ain't going to spoil it for you but watch the movie and analyse a bit and you understand what I mean.

If they fleshed out the movie with perhaps a little bit more action, more depth in story with the characters I am watching, sure it might have been 4 hours long for this story to be good and well written but I don't complain on a long movie - just what it contains.

It tries, but like a lot of movies which is trying to take something old and make it new it fails.

And please don't use old actors like Harrison Ford or Sean Young, they ain't interesting to watch or did contain something useful for the story. That is only for nostalgia and I dislike it. I did not enjoy his performance, old man - retire.

Dr. Lamb (1992)

Surprised

[7/10 · 10 March 2024]

I went into this movie without any expectations exception from that when i am watching older Chinese horror movies they pretty much have some kind of other genre in it like drama, comedy or a bit of fantasy action. They can be a bit cheesy but a happy tone in it. And then we got this one, a really unique Chinese movie.

This one is dark, it's twisted and sexually graphiced with gore. This is something that you barely see on the Chinese market. This is a gruesome story of a serial killer and some of his victims and the police force investigating him.

It's a well made movie with good scenes and dialog, they can capture a great dark atmosphere and you get to learn the murderer and about his life.

Very recommended for someone who want to see a movie about a Chinese serial killer? Watch this one, you won't be disappointed.

The Last Starfighter (1984)

A real sci-fi classic

[9/10 · 2 January 2024]

I've seen this movie many times and it's always a blast to watch it, it's in my opinion this is a real classic.

Story is about a guy who plays a video game and, yeah gets recruited to fight in a galactic war.

The first I can tell you is that for 1984 it's good 3d scenes which has been well done and didn't age like milk together with all the effects. It's actually a really enjoyable movie to watch all effects, scene art and so on.

Second is that the music of this movie is also well made and fits well. The score ain't that shabby.

Third, the acting and dialogs are well made and the acting is just great! Story itself are kinda cheesy but it's not bad at all.

Yeah, so all in all I do really enjoy this movie and If you are into sci fi movies this is a recommendation if you are into a bit of sci fi, a bit of cheesy, a lot of sci-fi action with evil villans and humor to it.

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)

A good classic

[7/10 · 26 December 2023]

Simple plot, Simon a fan of Frankenstein's work get busted while experimenting and get sent to an mental asylum, The same that Frankenstein was sent to.. and from here the movie begins and I won't spoil!

As usual it's always nice to see Peter Cushing doing his thing and he plays Frankenstein just perfectly. The rest of the actors all did good but Cushing takes the stage.

Overallt its a fun monster movie, great scenes and ok dialogs, and if you are into Frankenstein movies this is a movie to watch if you haven't seen it. It's not the best movie that ever has been done but it's not bad, it's in between and something to put on if you haven't seen before want a Frankenstein movie or if you just want something to watch to kill time, either way go but it's not the movie which is a 10/10 rating.

But it doesn't need to be to be an enjoyable movie.

Watchers (1988)

It's alright!

[7/10 · 26 December 2023]

The story is about some kind of werewolf/big foot creature trying to kill a dog, yes - even though how ridiculous that sounds it's actually an pretty alright movie!

The actors in it are both famous and you regognice them from other movies, and their acting is ok, the effects and camera work ain't bad at all. The whole movie itself are enjoyable to watch and it gives you a bit of gory scenes

The music was ok, generic but not bad so I don't complain at all.

Overall, it's an ok movie. Not the worst, not the best, and if you want a cute horror movie with a dog as like a main character - then it's a movie for you.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

A 80s classic

[9/10 · 14 November 2023]

It's not as dark and grim as the first movie but this movie doesn't need it to be. It got its 80s style and charm to it, well made, well filmed, effects are really good and dialogs are great.

What really makes this movie is all the characters, everything from Leatherface to Chop-top (which steals the show) are awesome characters, Especially Chop-top - him I want to see more of.

The movie takes places years after the first incident with a cop looking after them and a poor radioshow host becomes the bait for Leatherface. And more of a story you don't really need to know from this review.

It's a really good horror flick with dark humor and great scenes. A true masterpiece in the 80s horror scene, not perfect but left its mark in movie history.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)

It's alright

[6/10 · 9 November 2023]

We can start off, animations and atmosphere are good. Looks good, feels how it should be but for me something is missing.

I've seen 4 episodes out of the ten and I don't think I will see the rest, why? It's not that catching or interesting, characters and dialogs ain't that good. And taking on an comic anime style, yeah if you are really into anime and how anime characters act I get why someone would like this, or LOVE this because that if i was 13-16 of age and saw this I would be total into it but now, meh.. I could have had a aerie which takes itself way more serious then what this did. And that's perhaps what I am lacking or I am just being very cynical and judging this movie way too hard then it deserves because I do try to like it.

And the music, it's a total meh mediocre. And that's perhaps how I should put this all down? It's a mediocre anime and if you ain't into anime (or cyberpunk) this ain't for you.

Blue Monkey (1987)

A solid monster survival movie

[8/10 · 1 November 2023]

An underrated gem filled with passion for its genre.

Plot, a man gets stung by a plant and his being sent to the hospital, and from there it begins. And let me tell you, it starts of slow, showing stuff and accelerate for every scene.

The dialogs are great, characters so you root for them and a great monster! Sure, this is a b movie with limited funding but it's in my opinion a good survival movie which uses what they have in a good way!

I enjoyed the movie from beginning to the end, also enjoyed it the other times I watches the movie.

And can you stand a budget movie with a lot of love to the genre, this is a movie for you.

Sand Trap (1997)

Not bad at all

[7/10 · 1 November 2023]

The plot, Nelson and his wife and best friend goes out to check out some land that his best friend had bought.

This one is a little bit slow but if you can manage that you got an excellent thriller about betrayal and revenge.

Characters are interesting, dialogs are great and scenes are good even though you seen desert scenes like hundreds times before. The plot/story even though you seen similar stuff before is an interesting one.

It's not a perfect movie, but it is a good one were you have good characters really making you to root for them or hate them. And like said, it's a bit slow but will pay back in tense moments.

Retroactive (1997)

Underrated time-travel gem

[8/10 · 14 October 2023]

Never heard of this movie, and I didn't even know Jim Belushi had roles as a psycho bad guy but boy didn't I get disappointed of this movie.

Let's start basic and short because I ain't going to spoil stuff, but the plot is simple - an female cop psychiatrists car breaks down in the middle of like nowhere in Texas, she gets picked up by a couple. And you have time travel, but it keeps stuff simple which is really nice.

The action is this movie is great, the characters are really good and both the protagonist and the villan does a really good job acting out against each others, and gotta give Jim Belushi, he as the Villian is perfect! I've never been big with that guy but he really made a good role and it shows that he had a lot of fun being that psycho his character is.

If you want a good time travel movie with action and a simple scenario - this is a perfect movie for you. I enjoyed it a lot and I hope do you as well.

Deep Rising (1998)

A really good survival movie

[8/10 · 9 October 2023]

Let's start, this is not a bad movie, it's well written, bit cheesy but it got great scenes and actually a very good plot to it with a great ending!

First, let's talk about the plot - it's a group of merchs trying to rob a bunch of rich people on a boat. More or exact details I won't spoil because that is for you to experience the movie.

In that experience you will see actors you recognize and in that time there will be action, horror, monsters, blood and gore!

Ok, let's address one thing it's 1997 and they use CGI but let's also be honest here, it it's not looking that bad for being 97, just the end scene but other then that it was actually very good and could even look better than most CGI today.

But man was the practical effects and the gore great! It was really well made and the build up to it was really good executed!

In general this was a really good movie and if you are looking into a well made survival movie this is a movie for you!

Death Machine (1994)

A real tribute to the 80s horror, action and sci-fi movies

[9/10 · 9 October 2023]

It's brilliant filmed, the atmosphere is there and it's a great 80s movie made in the 90s together with great scenes, ok acting and good action, not to forget a great villian!

I've seen this movie 3 times and for every time I see something new, understand a reference to some movie, which scenes actually comes from which movie shot like alien, evil dead, directors, and so on.

Ok, to the movie itself! The plot is about a female CEO taking over company which involved in weapons programs, and one of their scientists have created a weapon.

It starts with a great buildup and ends in a blast with great slasher scenes and survival to stay alive! The Villian as crazy as his intelligent and doesn't just give up too easy, specially when sending a giant DEATH MACHINE to kill them. The main characters are all fighting for survival.

Highly recommended movie for anyone into action sci fi and sci fi horror.

Stone Cold (1991)

Underrated gem

[9/10 · 3 October 2023]

The plot is about a suspended cop going under cover in a biker gang, and all hell let loose. And it's 90s cheesy but actually really enjoyable.

I've never been a fan of Brian Bosworth, truth is that I haven't seen a lot of his movies and I just heard that this was a "under rated gem" so I put it on. And boy did I have a blast!

The movie ends with a blast, a really cheesy moment with John Stone and it start's out the movie but this starting is a little bit mislead - because it doesn't take itself as serious as the rest of the movie, which takes it self really serious and it creates great scenes.

But something that really took this movie going was Lance Henriksen as Chains Cooper, the crazy gang leader. At first I didn't recognize him but man did he do a good job.

Action scenes were awesome, good dialog scenes and build ups, also doesn't make up too much of the biker-culture/lore.

It was an genuine good movie in my opinion with testostone pumping out of it.

Dead Heat (1988)

Starts like a bad cop movie, ends in a great action sci fi movie

[8/10 · 13 September 2023]

The basic story is dumb and overdone with a tone of silly 80s duo action movie with two cops being like Starkey and Hutch fighting criminals.

But this movie takes a dark turn and from nowhere throws in some horror elements and sci fi moments and it goes from dumb action to really interesting scenes.

Scenes are great, bad one lines and great effects makes this movie sweet. And even that the movie doesn't take itself that serious from time to time we get serious and good scenes about death, revenge and fighting the bad guys and not to give up.

The ending is just as good as it's cheesy. Went in with no expectations and went out feeling pretty good.

Recommended if you are into 80s action and sci-fi.

Village of the Damned (1995)

A really good sci-fi/horror movie

[8/10 · 22 August 2023]

I've seen this one plenty of times, just as the original movie Children of the Damned. And both are great in their own ways! This one for taking the sci-fi part a bit further then the original.

Story is good, atmosphere is great with a small town in the US, characters are good and Christopher Reeve does such a good job in this one. I really liked his character and acting in this. The kids themselves did also a really good job especially Lindsey Haun as the "leader" and not forget Mark Hamill as a priest.

It's soundtrack was good and John Carpenter nails it with the synth, he nails the movie with a good mixture of sci fi and horror, and a little bit of cheesy scenes but it fits.

If you enjoy sci-fi and aliens, this is definitely a movie for you.

Dead Space: Aftermath (2011 Video)

Interesting but could been more

[6/10 · 22 August 2023]

But that doesn't make it a bad movie! If you are interested in the dead space-universe it's definitely a movie for you, you won't be disappointed!

Let's just start with, yeah the story ain't the best but it could have been far more fleshed out and the movie longer itself, I wouldn't mind but if it's due to targeting young people or it was due to budget, who knows. It's too bad. I like a good story and not dumbed down but the end of it all was ok.

Characters are ok, voice acting ok, animation was ok mixed between actually nice animation to 3d more b-version but yeah I don't actually mind all of that as long as it gives me good scenes and story.

So not to spoil everything, this is about a recover-team trying to recover pieces of the marker from Aegis VII, which makes this a prequal to Dead Space 2 and after the end of Dead Space.

And it contains action, a lot of it and everything going to hell, like expected in Dead Space - that's why it's an ok movie!

The Ward (2010)

It's an alright movie!

[7/10 · 22 August 2023]

I didn't know really what I put on when I saw this, I only knew it was John Carpenter directing it.

What I've got was ok time killing, seen the concept before but if you been away from the concept and needed a good movie about a girl in an asylum and what kind of horrors that goes on there - yeah this one can be it!

The characters and actors does all their jobs, it flows good together in the story and visual effects and scenes were all ok.

Little bit confusing from time to time due to taking things a bit too fast, I could easily had another 30-40 minutes of just build-up and story scenes to explain things better then like it felt rushing thing, or it's just me complaining over small stuff?

Anyways, I liked the movie. Music was mjea, didn't pay that much attention, but won't be something I will ever turn on in a while but like I said, I liked it!

Nefarious (2023)

Worth seeing!

[8/10 · 15 August 2023]

I am not a fan of modern horror movies and I skip everything that is horror 2010 up, and for me I went in with nothing at all, and I got surprised!

The movie itself is about a doctor evaluation a man on death row if his insane or not - Will he be put to death?

More then that I wont spoil! That's for you to watch. Because it was a good movie! Sure, it ain't your jump-scare horror movie but this movie got character , it can make it's time worth by good acting, great dialogs and also spot on occult/religious knowledge of demons and spiritual warfare. It feels like the real deal and not just some made up mombo jumbo of 5 minutes of research not even trying, but yeah - I was not surprised when I saw that the guys behind the movie was Christians. They know their religion! A great plus which ads to the feeling of this movie.

For some it might be boring, because it's just one room the whole movie, and if you like great dialog and build up it's like said - worth the time!

8/10 It's not a masterpiece - but a really good movie!

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Reality of war

[8/10 · 18 June 2023]

The movie is about a young man coming out of school being recruited into war like millions of other men and boys before him and his struggle for survival.

His story is not unique, but it's a powerful story like his, like millions of others from all around Europe who had to fight a horrifying trench war just fighting for meters.

The movie itself is well made, great scenes, great acting and great atmosphere.

It shows you the horrors, but also the moments of brotherhoods being created by soldiers getting together and creating life lasting friendships.

If you are into war-movies this one is for you, one of the better war movies of the 2020s and I don't think that we will see someone like this again in a while.

It could have been a perfect movie, but unfortunately it ain't. It's just a great one, therefore 8/10.

Don't get me wrong, it's a really good movie - but I could have had more without this movie getting boring. For example perhaps more of an insight of the whole group of characters we see in the beginning, and that 18 month which passes by and we get thrown intro the end of the war.

Well, that is just small complains and I could easily watch a movie 4-7 hours long as long as it holds the quality of dialog, scenography and so on.

Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981 TV Movie)

A movie of Revenge

[8/10 · 15 June 2023]

The story is about a mentally challenged man who gets killed during a lynching and this is the revenge.

First I got to say that we got a lot of well known actors which you see in a lot of other horror movies. Larry Drake I just generally enjoy, Lane Smith does his part wonderful and Charles Durning is a really good villain.

It's good filmed, scenes are nice, lightning is great and dialogues are good. It doesn't show a lot of gore but it's a good slasher and makes it all up with its tension and story to make us learn to know the characters that being killed, their fear and hauntings.

Are Bubba really bad from the dead or is it someone else?

Watch the movie and find out! Recommended.

Creature (1985)

A really good alien-copy

[9/10 · 16 January 2023]

I watched the high resolution AI up scaling of this and damn this movie looks good.

The scenes are great, the lighting and atmospheres look awesome. For being a alien-movie clone the story itself are not like alien exception from finding some random alien-ship on some abandoned planet. Everything else is its own story and its own alien.

But this is not a bad movie at all. The script/dialog are good, the acting is good, the story is also good, scenes/props and lighting - very good! The artwork of the space ships outside are really got damn good.

This is a hidden gem in my opinion, i am surprised over how good this movie was. And it got 4.4 here on IMDB, ok - strange in my opinion because this sci-fi horror movie got some really good scenes and a lot with the lighting together with how they film it becomes great.

I enjoyed this movie A LOT!