Troll Hunter is fun little movie that finds the kid in all of us. Kind of a new twist on the ol' troll fairy tale with a couple of laughs thrown in. Let me first state that I despise most "found footage" movies. I dislike unbelievable reasons to record while your life is in danger, combined with everlasting amazing super-batteries and a final product that induces vomiting without the use of alcohol. Movies like "Cloverfield" had this flaw but pulled it off with better production values and good special effects. Trolls pulls off a more believable filming experience also incorporating some pretty cool creature effects. The plot, although not the deepest, plays out like a Jacques Cousteau documentary but on land with trolls of all sizes! (for you youngsters, Jacques Cousteu was the guy bringing us our "Shark Week" long before there was such a thing.) There is also a minor subplot which is weak and predictable, but doesn't hurt the film. I found the story new and refreshing and the effects did not disappoint.
Reviews
14 Reviews
The Woman in Black
(2012)
Felt like I went to Chills R Us! An excellent remake.
30 October 2012
8/10. This film surpasses the original 1989 version even though IMDb ratings indicate otherwise. As in the original, an effective creepy atmosphere and setting is portrayed. The camera angles and composition were outstanding, including excellent use of background, objects, and shadows to reveal the supernatural. The music was pretty good, but did not seem to have a significant role. The use of sound to produce jump scares was perhaps over used or exaggerated, yet effective. The movie's pacing may be slow for some and dialogue is sometimes minimal as Kipps is mostly alone. This isolation combined with the plot and setting create an intense feeling of dread. The film could have used more action based suspense, but would have required more deviation from the book and original movie. The cast worked for me on all levels, even though Radcliffe seemed stoic at times, I don't think it hurt the film. This period piece treated me with five strong chilling moments, and sixteen in all. This is a great movie for fans of atmospheric horror and the supernatural.
Exit Humanity
(2011)
Well done zombie drama...The horror is in the story, not the action
14 September 2012
A unique and well done dramatic zombie period piece. The rustic technology free setting creates nice isolation which helps increase the tension. I love zombies, and these zombies are the best I've seen in a long time. Not just the makeup, which was great, but the acting and serious tone of the movie, help it excel. The music was wonderful, while the acting and narration was well done. The animation added an art-house feel, yet not overused. Not a typical horror film, but a serious drama about humanity. Definitely going to keep an eye on this director. I wish there was more of a scare element. I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
The Burrowers
(2008)
A Good B thriller period piece with two kinds of monsters
5 September 2012
A low budget thriller, breathes life into a tired genre. This Western works in providing isolation that all great horror movies have. Though you won't jump out of your skin, you will feel tense and uneasy. You can make comparisons to vampire fare, the Descent, and Tremors, to name a few. With a few tweaks to the story, you have something unique and interesting. Although not entirely a new concept, the humanoids can be the bigger monster. There is poetic justice based on this concept, stemming from altering the creatures feeding habits to racism getting in the way of finding the answers. The way the creatures feed is unique and plays into common human fears. Creature design and effects are acceptable and above par for the budget. The only real technical issue, moments of low dialogue levels. I boosted the center channel, lowered my front left and right speakers on my sound system and left the subtitles on. Keep your expectations in check, and you will come out pleasantly surprised.
Gamera: The Giant Monster
(1964)
A rung below Gojira 1954...if you find the right version.
9 June 2012
It helps to be a kaiju fan if you watch this as an adult. I was able to see the English subtitled version, and found it enjoyable for what it is. It's monster destruction along the vein of Gojira, albeit a cheaper budget, yet more updated special effects. The movie is short so its fairly easy to get through. I love the atmosphere of black and white, and the seriousness of Gamera as a threat to humanity. There is a child present, but he will not totally turn off adults. I'm not gonna pick the film to pieces and tell you what's wrong. It's just good kaiju fun! This movie is as important to the series as the original Godzilla was to his. I recommend it to all true fans of the genre.
Kaiju done right
7 June 2012
After watching just about all the kaiju monster movies, it was time to see the Gamera movies in order. The photography/cinematography is excellent for this film, and the modeling maybe second to none. Maybe due to the scale of Gamera, I'm not sure, but the detail was superb. I love the point of view shots and camera movement through the miniature sets. I wish they would use this effect more. I was amazed at the detail of the utility poles with wires connecting them, increasing the realism and providing depth to the shots. The monsters are also very well done and Gyaos and Gamera have risen to the top of the best looking kaiju suits to date. Some CGI shots worked, while others didn't, but for its time, above par. You can see why Toho wanted Shusuke Keneko to direct its Godzilla GMK movie, which may be my all time favorite Big G movie. The pacing is good, and although the movie is not flawless, the fun factor is through the roof! I can't wait to see the others in this series as they are rated even higher on IMDb.
Son of Godzilla
(1967)
Godzilla on a budget...but still King of giant monster movies!
6 June 2012
This direct to TV, budget conscious, effort still packs in the fun, albeit, of a different nature. No Cities getting stomped, no human death and very little modeling. Drama, suspense, humor, vibrant color, a great cast and monsters, fill the void. It is my least favorite Godzilla costume due to his goofy large eyes and tail that pinched inwards at the base. Minilla's silly looks, actually add to the good comedic acting. The story is neat and puts you into the suspense as a human trying to stay off the menu. The Akira Ifukube-less soundtrack is slightly dated due to its jazzy 60's vibe, but most of it was surprisingly good. After watching a host of other monster flicks of this era, like Yog, Daimajin, and Monster from a Prehistoric Planet, this effort seems to rise to the top.
Rubber's Lover
(1996)
Plays like a film school experiment
21 May 2012
If Rubber's Lover was meant to be understood and fully appreciated, It fell short. I was intrigued by the camera angles, technological props, and trying to find the storyline. This cyberpunk, art house, music video type spectacle, tired me out and seemed a lot longer than the posted 91 minutes. After considerable attempts to understand this movie, I surrendered. If I was at the theater, I would have left early. This movie brings up memories of David Lynch's Eraserhead and Croenenberg's Scanners. If this was a film school assignment in which the assignment was to make the weirdest movie you can think up, this was probably the winner. Not my thing, maybe yours.
Daimajin
(1966)
Expected less...Got so much more!
13 May 2012
I was expecting a decent film due to the ratings on IMDb, but what I experienced, was much greater than that. This period piece forces us to be an active participant by enveloping us with its desperate atmosphere. It's melodramatic set up brings the pacing down, so don't expect monster mashing anytime soon. It's tone is fierce and foreboding throughout. The tension is wonderful, and the anticipation of a reluctant savior slow to awaken, is as brutal as the wrath it releases! DaiMajin is like a freight train, slow to get going, and hard to stop! 8/10.
**By the way I always recommend the Japanese versions with their acting and English subtitles.**
**By the way I always recommend the Japanese versions with their acting and English subtitles.**
The Ward
(2010)
Underrated enjoyable entertainment the Carpenter way
21 September 2011
Some people had too high expectations for this John Carpenter film. Maybe not his best work, but a psychological thriller told the Carpenter way. The film had a few of his startling "cheap scares", as well as chilling moments to compliment the dramatic mystery's cathartic plot twist. I had no expectations, and the story kept my interest, effected me emotionally, and left me entertained. Technically speaking, I didn't notice the music too much, the atmosphere was the effective dreaded asylum with lots of locked doors, yet mostly well lit. The acting was very acceptable, although there were a few clichés, and perhaps some Japanese influence. Originality probably takes a hit due to a similar popular movie with a close resemblance, but overall genuinely thrilling entertainment.
Shutter
(II) (2004)
One of the creepiest movies ever made!
31 October 2010
Being an avid horror fan I thought I'd seen it all, until "Shutter". This movie has a scare formula that works effectively throughout the entire movie. The music and editing create the atmosphere that the set design did not, while the sound aided repeatedly for the many great startling scares. Combine this with a thrilling mystery, unnatural visual imagery and make up, and you get one of the creepiest ghost stories ever told. The pace was wonderful as the biggest scares came every 15 minutes throughout this fright fest, with some thrown at you machine gun style. Watch this in the dark, with the sound cranked up, and if you dare...alone. It made my hair stand up at least 4 times and my goosebumps had goosebumps. Enjoy this tasty morsel of horror!
Martyrs
(2008)
Not much of a story but one helluva message!
20 August 2010
Martyrs is a thriller that uses violence, gore and mystery to build tension and peak your interest for its final message. It had me guessing where the plot was heading, as well as, the characters motivation. Once the main characters return to the scene of the crime, they tend to needlessly linger, which causes the bulk of the movie that follows. Ultra-violence fans will love this movie, however it is not an action movie. A longish sequence of brutal depravity ensues. Just when I thought to myself, "This movie better not leave me hanging" (without answers or a dumb ending), It sucker punched me in the gut! Wow, the ending was very revealing and makes this movie what it is. Martyrs is not for everyone, due to the violence, gore, and religious views it suggests. I imagine conservatives will not like the movie and rate it lower than what it deserves. This movie can affect you emotionally, spiritually, and physically. A must see for thriller fans!
A Nightmare on Elm Street
(2010)
A good time at the Theatre!
1 May 2010
First and foremost I am a Jason fan, but Freddy had a couple of good movies back in the day. All "killer" sequels seem to turn campy after 2-3 movies. Godzilla, Freddy, Jason, to name a few. The killers are no longer feared, become the heroes, lose their originality and their bite! This movie had to fight all this and the negative camp that the series churned out. I am big on sound and this movie had some great uses of sound. Freddie's voice was very cool, contrary to what I've been reading on here, and there were plenty of jumps/startles. I can accept that Freddie looks more like a real burn victim, and his ambiguity of good vs evil real life character was a nice twist. Some dream sequences were predictable, but I felt the tension in the audience because mostly we weren't sure. The acting wasn't bad either, and the questions I ask myself are... Did I have fun, Was I entertained, Did the movie affect me emotionlly? YES!
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
(1994)
Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla and Mogera better than the ratings indicate
29 April 2010
Godzilla DNA makes it into space and creates Big G's next adversary, Space Godzilla. Space G is very cool looking if you can accept the big crystals sticking out of his shoulders. The music score was rather strange and seemed lacking at times. It's 'The Love Boat' crossed with up-tempo canned 80's synthesizer driven cable local access music. The fleeing mob scenes are poorly done(American dubbed version only?), as it sounds like two people recorded multiple times. The male voice being Star Trek's George Takei(aka Sulu). The lighting appears brighter giving the suits an unflattering shiny appearance. One of my favorite Godzilla suits was used in this film, although his lower half is bloated and he appears a bit stiff. Some great camera shots of Big G deliberately smashing buildings with his hands, and lots of explosions as he stomps on things. A bonus for Toho fans of The Mysterians, is the return of Moguera! Even though the robot cannot compete with Mech-G, it was a nostalgic pleasant surprise to see him. Probably the low point for Heisei era kaiju, but if you can get over the cheesy music, you can still enjoy this monster mash. Just for fun see if you can spot who I call the Japanese Shemp.
*review edited after further review*
*review edited after further review*
Tell Your Friends