LouAbbott Reviews

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Let Toho Do It!

[4/10 · 7 June 2019]

"Godzilla King of the Monsters" doesn't deliver what Godzilla fans want delivered. It's hard to tell if the monster battles are good, bad, or indifferent. The entire film is in a world with no sun. Maybe the filmmakers had to wait until the sun went down and Mothra came out. The film is too long (over two hours) and too politically correct. Godzilla and his monster pals (except King Ghidorah, who is the monster "villain") are returning from the bowels of the earth (I use the word "bowels" on purpose) to save the planet, doing away with the nasty "climate change," wars, and other evil elements of the terrible "monsters" known as humanity. For monsters that want to save the world, they sure try their best to destroy it. "Godzilla King of the Monsters" is the third US try at a Godzilla movie. Please, just let Toho films make the Godzilla movies.

Death House (2017)

Electric Voodoo

[7/10 · 22 May 2019]

A glorious gore fest featuring some of the most famous actors of the Grade-B, grind house genre (though most have small roles). "Death House" is certainly not for the weak of knee or especially the weak of stomach. So the film may or may not make sense. Does it matter? Who cares? Electric Voodoo. Good name for a heavy metal band.

Black Summer (2019–2021)

Been There, Done That

[1/10 · 13 May 2019]

Is there a zombie film or series that can be so dull that you'd rather watch Venus Flytraps growing? "Black Summer" is as derivative as a zombie movie can be. The show should been retitled "Black Bore," "Black Bummer" or "Been There, Saw That". Until the final two episodes, the "action" basically consists of one or more people on the street running away from a zombie or two. The "victims" run so long and fast they must be U.S. Track team members. Talk about leather lungs! IMO, George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" had a larger budget then "Black Summer", and Romero's film was so much better then this boring recycled piece of junk. Wait. Comparing Romero's classic to "Black Summer" might result in Romero haunting me. And yes, as at least one reviewer pointed out, not subtitling the Korean girl's language is annoying. What's the purpose of this show? Ratings? Probably. "Black Summer" has no other excuse for its existence.

The Super (2017)

Good to See Val Kilmer Back In Shape...Otherwise.

[3/10 · 19 February 2019]

"The Super" is anything but "super." The first third is just OK; the second third is a bore of bores, and the third has better than average plot twists. However, the film has more plot holes then potholes on a deserted Detroit street. The only redeeming value is to see Val Kilmer one hundred or so pounds lighter and still in good acting form as well.

All Light Will End (2018)

A Better Than Average "Combo" Movie

[7/10 · 8 February 2019]

A solid film that is part mystery, part suspense, and part scary horror. As of 2/7/19, there are only 24 user reviews, and there seems to be no critic reviews. The later is surprising, but welcome. User reviews are preferred to critic reviews. The user reviews run from 10 stars to one star. "All Light Will End" is certainly not a 10 star classic, but the film does not deserve one star. This user gave the movie seven stars. If you like the type of film described above, give it a look. You will enjoy and appreciate.

The Monster (2016)

Two "Monsters" in "The Monster"

[7/10 · 14 January 2019]

The film is reminiscent of Val Lewton's productions of horror films at RKO Studios from 1942-1946. Lewton concentrated "on ominous suggestion and themes of existential ambivalence", according to Wikipedia, rather than out-and-out horror.

The real "horror" in "The Monster" is the relationship of the alcoholic mother and her daughter. Flashback scenes of the two provide most of the real horror in "The Monster." In fact, the mother could be the monster in "The Monster." With so many reviews of this film, the plot is probably already known. And, as many reviewers have noted, the plot is familiar. However the acting and overall competence of the filmmakers is very much above average in comparison to other "B or Indie"-movies of this type. The low rating is surprising.

What Still Remains (2018)

Low, Slow, Don't Go

[4/10 · 9 January 2019]

The budget is low, the plottng is slow, "What Still Remains?". I don't know. And don't care.

Octaman (1971)

Intentional Laughs, or...

[1/10 · 18 December 2018]

I give it one star for the film's intentional laughs. What would be really scary is if the laughs were unintentional.

Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018)

Needs Less Yapping and More Scrapping

[5/10 · 28 October 2018]

Second verse, same as the first but that doesn't mean it's worse. But "Pacific Rim Uprising" could use a less yapping and more scrapping.

The Shape of Water (2017)

Slow, Slower, Slowest and Reverse

[4/10 · 14 October 2018]

"The Shape of Water" has four speeds: slow, slower, slowest and reverse. The film could lose one half hour. Towards the middle of the film the viewer becomes annoyed at its snail's pace.

The story is original. The acting is excellent. If "The Shape of Water" is termed a horror film, it is because the viewer must sit through an extra 30 minutes of boring torture.

How did this movie receive so many nominations and awards, including the Academy Award for "Best Picture of the Year"? Director Guillermo del Toro is apparently Hollywood's current golden boy.

Death Race 4: Beyond Anarchy (2018 Video)

"Beyond Anarchy" Is Right!

[6/10 · 12 October 2018]

"Death Race: Beyond Anarchy" is a mating of "The Road Warrior" and "Escape from New York." The plot? What plot and who cares? The plot can be figured out in less than 10 minutes. The plot is not the point. The point of the film is more violence, brutality, nudity, sex (lesbian and straight) then its predecessors. This film is a must for "Death Race" fans and those who like their violence, brutality, etc. over the top. This is a B-film action classic, and arguably the best film in the "Death Race" franchise.

Dawning of the Dead (2017)

Yawning of the Dead

[2/10 · 11 June 2018]

For zombie film junkies only. The title of this film should be "Yawning of the Dead." The "Dawning of the Dead" is one big "been there, done that." Totally uninspired.

Money, Women and Guns (1958)

Better Than Average B-Oater

[7/10 · 19 May 2018]

A better than average western programmer with an excellent cast of character actor veterans, including Kim Hunter, Lon Chaney, William Campbell, James Gleason, Phillip Terry, and Don Megowan. Jock Mahoney gives a very natural performance as the lead character. The story and dialogue are also a step above for this type of film, as is the direction. If you think you have the plot figured out after the first 10 minutes of the film, well, keep watching. If you enjoy this type of B-movie western, with more brains than bullets, you'll have fun!

The Broken Land (1962)

The Broken Dialogue

[5/10 · 19 May 2018]

A young Jack Nicholson is the only reason to watch this film. Jack was 25 years old when he appeared in "The Broken Land." At first, I didn't even recognize him, or even his classic one-of-a kind voice. Jack's the only actor in the cast (veteran Kent Taylor comes in second) who can bring to life the lousy dialogue. With a 60 minute run time (the "director's cut" is 75 minutes, according to IMDb), at least it goes by quickly. Maybe this film was the bottom half of a drive-in double feature (if anyone remembers drive-ins). If one does remember drive-ins, there was undoubtedly more action going on in the back seat of Daddy's Chevy then on the screen. Could be grindhouse material as well.

The Survivalist (2015)

All the Reviews Are Correct

[6/10 · 15 May 2018]

Some audience reviewers gave "The Survivalist" one star; some gave the film 10 stars. I understand the point of both ratings. The film does move like a turtle with four broken legs. At the same time, one can't stop watching. As of 5/14/18, there are 69 reviews of this film on IMDb, so the important points about the film are all ready made. This is the type of film that makes one want to turn it off after the first half-hour, or the film sucks you in.

The Case for Christ (2017)

A Better Than Average Christian Film

[6/10 · 14 May 2018]

This film is for and probably produced by Christians. However, the target audience and production doesn't make for a bad film. There are drawbacks. The film is too long. The audience knows the ending 10 minutes into the film, but it is interesting to watch the journey of an abject non-believer transform into a Christian. Along this line, the film is polarizing from the standpoint of how one feels about Christianity. It proposes that a person (the wife in the film) must be a full-blown bible-beater, even to the point of getting her head dunked. On the other end of the spectrum is the husband, a raging atheist who cannot deal with his wife's transformation. It's all or nothing at all. One aspect of the film I don't think any reviewers touched on: the film takes place in 1980, and the details of the '80's world" are there. Banks of pay phones (today it is hard to find one). Beepers, not cell phones. Manual typewriters instead of computers. These and other touches make the film more believable, from the point of time and place.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

A Winning Combination

[8/10 · 3 May 2018]

The reviewers giving this film less than six stars wouldn't know a good movie if someone (or thing) snuck up and pinched them on the posterior. Don't let them convince you this is a bad movie. "The Autopsy of Jane Doe" is a combination thriller-mystery-suspense-supernatural wonder. One never knows what to expect next. The ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel. I sincerely hope there is no sequel. It is a virtual impossibility a sequel could live up to this film.

The Sound (2017)

Stink Rhymes With Stink

[3/10 · 30 April 2018]

As soon as Rose McGowan (the central character) enters the lower level of a Toronto subway station, the film sinks lower than the station could ever sink. Stink rhymes with sink. This film is a boring, confusing mish-mash that never makes much sense. The scariest part of the movie is the ending, which is a set up for a sequel! Terrifying!

Escorts (2015 TV Movie)

Follow The Money

[4/10 · 7 April 2018]

As my grandfather once said, "follow the money." The people in this type of documentary, as well as documentaries on inner city drug dealers (and maybe the mob) prove they are the only true capitalists in countries becoming more and more anti-capitalist. Do these young women pay taxes? Do you believe illegal immigrants in the USA pay taxes? Currently, there is so much "under the table" money in the UK, the US, and other countries of every political persuasion. In the "Hot Girls Wanted" world, every "job" is on a "cash only" basis.

Backcountry (I) (2014)

Not As Advertised

[4/10 · 7 April 2018]

Overrated, and misrepresented. Note that "Horror" and "Thriller" are included in the "Genre" section of IMDb for this film. This is no horror story, and not much of a thriller. These mis-categorizations could be the reason for the many bad reviews. Simply put, this film is "not as advertised."

Day of the Dead: Bloodline (2017)

A Take On A Classic That Shouldn't Have Been Taken

[4/10 · 6 April 2018]

In the original "Day of the Dead" script, George A. Romero envisioned the living training zombies to kill other zombies. Due to money constraints and the possibility of the film receiving an X rating, his original vision changed. I and other Romero fans had high hopes this film would use the original script. High hopes shot down, cut up or eaten. "Bloodline" is the type of film that gives away 90% of the plot during the first 10 or so minutes. The film is not as bad as some have written. Still, "Bloodline" is a take on George A. Romero's classic that probably shouldn't have been taken.

Justice (II) (2017)

Don't Waste Your Time In This Town, Pardner

[1/10 · 4 March 2018]

For fans of westerns, "Justice" is a "been there, saw that" film. The story was probably written about 1868 or so. That's the time the movie takes place. "Justice" is so predictable, and has so many western clichés, that it is unintentionally funny. Off the top of their cowboy hats, western fans can devise two or three plot turns that might (accent on might) make the film better. Other than the evil town mayor, played by the always-great Stephen Lang, the other major roles are either miscast (the heroine) or incompetent (the hero), who acts like Clint Eastwood (accent on acts like). Don't waste your time in this town, pardner.

The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

If George Romero Had $5...

[6/10 · 2 March 2018]

If the late George A. Romero had $5 for every zombie movie made since his "Night of the Living Dead" film (1968), he'd have died a multi-billionaire and his family wouldn't have to work a day in their lives. Romero is the father of the modern zombie film. As of 3/2/18, there are 157 user reviews. I'm sure one can go elsewhere on the site to learn the movie's plot.

The film is a very good variation on the zombie film genre. "The Girl With All the Gifts", as many reviewers point out, starts slow and confusing. Then the zombies arrive and the action begins. Sit through the approximately first ½ hour of the film. You'll be rewarded.

Veronica (I) (2017)

There's A Moral (and a warning!)To This Terror Tale

[7/10 · 1 March 2018]

The moral of this story: Teenage girls shouldn't mess with an Ouija board in the basement of a Catholic school on the day of an eclipse! "Veronica" is a better than average supernatural thriller from Spain (subtitled) that keeps one on the edge of the seat the majority of the time. The "majority of the time" means 10 or 15 minutes could be edited out so the film moved faster. Like all good paranormal thrillers, there is a sense of doom to the proceedings. The cinematography is excellent and sometimes symbolic.

Death Wish 3 (1985)

A Classic Good Bad Movie

[9/10 · 20 February 2018]

My favorite "so bad it's good" film. If you like "good bad" movies (such as Brando's "The Island of Dr. Moreau,") you'll find this film worth renting. Virtually the entire film is ridiculous but quite entertaining. Plenty of good action as well, although the action scenes are for the most part silly, too. Others have written reviews pointing out how this movie is classic "good-bad." Their reviews are accurate.