This is the first movie in the popular film trilogy based on the popular books by J.R.R. Tolkien and it is nothing short of magnificent. Peter Jackson has cut a few elements out of the book in order to move the story along, but the film doesn't really suffer due to their exclusion. The acting is first rate all around, with notable performances from Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan and Christopher Lee. The special effects are still astounding nearly ten years later and I don't think that the movie will age poorly. The battle which takes place during the opening narration is an example of how CGI can greatly enhance a scene when done properly, and this examples such as this one repeat themselves throughout the course of the film. This is truly some of the best use of CGI I've ever seen and is far more believable than the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Overall this movie should be seen by everyone as an astounding piece of art, as this is far more than just summer popcorn entertainment.
Reviews
20 Reviews
The Other Hell
(1981)
The Other Hell
16 July 2009
Another pointless and mostly boring film from Italian schlock director Bruno Mattei. The movie itself is a mess. The plot isn't very coherent and it is often hard to discern exactly what is going on most of the time (or what the whole point of the movie is). It also lacks any real tension or scares throughout most of the movie and just falls into a boring monotony of nonsense. The Goblin soundtrack just sounds very strange and out of place here. Maybe because it isn't really an action film and the setting just isn't right for the synthesized music. The only thing I can say about the movie that isn't at least somewhat negative is that I was entertained by the movie's ending. The acting (albeit very over the top) wasn't the worst I've encountered in an Italian horror film either. Bruno Mattei himself seems to almost disown this film in an interview on my DVD copy so you know that this has got to be pretty bad.
Zombie
(1979)
Zombie
15 July 2009
I had to watch this movie a few times before I realized that it wasn't that bad of a film. I knew all about the financially motivated origins of the movie, and I think that kind of put me off originally. When I re-watched this movie I tried my best to put any notions of it being a "Dawn of the Dead" cash-in to rest. The acting isn't anything special, but it is kind of hard to tell since the dubbing on my copy is really bad. The story really has more in common with the older style zombie films that dealt with voodoo such as "White Zombie" and "I Walked With a Zombie". The special effects are the best thing here, and they are allowed front and center for a good portion of the movie's exciting finale. In my opinion, this movie has better SFX than Romero's "Dawn of the Dead". Overall, this movie is actually quite good once you get past the fact that it is kind of a ripoff.
Parasite
(1982)
Parasite
15 July 2009
A very cheesy early 80's horror movie, and in 3D no less. I've never seen the 3D version of the film but I honestly don't think it would make watching this any better. The main problem with the movie is that it is quite boring. Demi Moore does a good job here, but she is one of the only actors that is halfway decent. Of course nobody watches these kinds of movies to see good acting anyway, so what about the title creatures? They aren't that good either unfortunately. Stan Winston did the effects for this movie and apart from one or two scenes (especially the saloon owner's demise) it doesn't look like he tried very hard on this one, although the lack of funding probably didn't help either. Overall, I would not suggest this movie to anyone unless they really love cheesy Roger Corman flicks. Really, really cheesy Roger Corman flicks.
Fear No Evil
(1981)
Fear No Evil
15 July 2009
Wow, this is an absolute mess of a film. I have over 1,000 DVD's in my collection and I count this one as one of the very worst. You certainly get the idea that the director (who was a first timer) bit off far more than he could chew when he tackled this project. The plot is extremely incoherent, the acting is terrible and the special effects look like they came out of Xanadu. It is honestly hard for me to say anything good about this movie, I cannot think of anything redeeming about it. I guess some of the movie's punk-rock soundtrack (which features the Sex Pistols and Ramones among others) is interesting but is completely wasted in this film. Avoid this one if you can.
King Kong
(1933)
King Kong
15 July 2009
After 76 years and 3 remakes this movie is still my favorite of the King Kong films. I enjoyed Peter Jackson's remake (not so much the 70's one), but this one has the advantage of being the original, plus having loads of charm contained within the brilliant special effects of Willis H. O'Brien. The plot is universally known, so to explain it here would simply be redundant. The pacing of the movie is tighter than Jackson's film as well, and the acting is of the appropriate nature for a film of this type. King Kong spawned a whole genre of imitators, some of which I enjoy better than Kong itself, however none of them can claim the classic status of this film. Highly recommended to any fan of adventure films or fantasy films.
Slugs
(1988)
Slugs
15 July 2009
This is a mildly interesting late 80's gore fest featuring some nasty slugs with a taste for human blood. If you can get past the ridiculousness of the whole thing you might actually get some minor enjoyment out of this. The acting is awful and the plot is simply there to hold the movie together between gory slug attacks, but the movie isn't a complete waste of time. The special effects are actually quite good, and the gore is well done. It reminded me of the remake of the Blob, probably because of the sliminess of it all. All in all, you could certainly do worse with an hour and a half of your time, but I wouldn't suggest seeing this movie unless you've got a strong stomach and are into this sort of thing.
Hell of the Living Dead
(1980)
Hell of the Living Dead
11 July 2009
Wow, this film is pretty much just a low-budget ripoff of Dawn of the Dead set in New Guinea. The acting is awful, the special effects aren't very impressive and the movie is sort of boring, but somehow I can't say that it isn't worth watching, if not for more than just a laugh. Some of the scenes involving the SWAT team are hilariously bad. Try to count the amount of times that they shoot the zombies anywhere but the head after being told numerous times that that is the only way to dispatch them for good. Some of the characters even berate other characters for doing this. Overall, while it certainly isn't a good film by any means, I've seen worse out of the Italian zombie sub-genre.
Dead Heat
(1988)
Dead Heat
11 July 2009
This is a mostly interesting and entertaining mix of a horror flick with an 80's buddy cop movie. The acting by the two leads (Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo) is good, they manage to keep their partnership fun and enjoyable throughout, and the script is actually very funny at times. Darren McGavin, Key Luke and Vincent Price are welcome additions to a good ensemble cast. The special effects and make-up aren't bad either. Some of the set pieces (especially the Chinese restaurant) are done in a way that could only be done in the 80's and work. Overall, the film held my attention throughout, but I don't really think that it warrants any repeat views. It is one of those movies that you watch and enjoy, but forget about.
Pumpkinhead
(1988)
Underrated Horror Flick
13 April 2007
Pumpkinhead is a criminally overlooked 80's horror movie that stands up there as one of my favorites of the entire decade. It is exceptionally well made by first time director Stan Winston who shows more skill behind the camera than one might expect from someone primarily known for special effects. Most of the lead actors do a very good job, with a few exceptions, however Lance Henriksen brings an enormous amount of credibility to the whole thing. I have great respect for character actors such as Lance and this is some of his best work. The creature itself is well conceived however it is hidden in shadows throughout most the picture which allows the actors and the story to take center stage, much to the film's benefit. Overall this is one of the best Halloween movies ever made as that is the perfect time of year to watch this movie. It's dark, it's Gothic, and it's damn cool.
The Octagon
(1980)
Almost the perfect B movie
28 February 2007
I'm definitely a sucker for 70's and 80's martial arts and action flicks (particlarly the output of Cannon films) and this blends both of them into one pretty awesome movie. Being a Chuck Norris fan certainly doesn't hurt either. The acting is kind of rough in spots and the dialogue lays the cheese on pretty thick but that is part of the attraction to this type of movie. The fight sequences are excellent, which is pretty much the only reason someone would watch this movie anyway. The costumes are very cool as well, of particular notice is Kyo's outfit, which is some of the coolest ninja garb I've ever seen. He looks like he stepped off the set of a live action G.I. Joe movie, which is meant to be a compliment. Overall, this movie is a major guilty pleasure of mine and any movie featuring Lee Van Cleef as a bounty hunter can't be too bad.
Day of the Dead
(1985)
Best of the "Dead" trilogy
28 February 2007
George Romero's third installment in his famous horror quadrilogy is a well acted thriller on a more subdued scale than his previous entry, 1978's Dawn of the Dead. It benefits from the strongest acting and special effects of the entire series. In my opinion the effects of Day even outshine his latest zombie movie, Land of the Dead. They aren't as frequent as those found in Dawn, but when they hit they hit hard. I loved the location of the film, the isolation of the mine and caverns really added an eerie feel to the whole thing. The daytime shots of the zombies shambling into the streets en masse at the start of the film is probably my favorite apocalyptic zombie scene ever put to film. As mentioned before, I believe this features the best acting in any of the "Dead" movies as well. Lori Cardille (who strongly resembles Carrie Fisher), Joe Pilato, Howard Sherman and the late Richard Liberty are all top notch here. Detractors of the movie frequently point out the script that Romero wrote but wasn't allowed to film due to budget limitations. While his original script would have called for a movie on a much larger scale, it is the smaller and more personal scale itself that makes this my favorite of the series. Not to be missed by anyone who calls themselves a fan of horror.
The Thing
(1982)
The Thing
17 December 2004
John Carpenter's The Thing is an intelligent and well made horror/thriller with Kurt Russel leading an absolutely fantastic ensemble cast. The characterization in this movie is critical because of all the paranoia and suspense between the actors. For anyone who thinks that special effects could not be done well before the advent of CGI I beg you to watch this movie. Rob Bottin really outdid himself on the designs for the Thing, which in essence could really look like anything that he could imagine since it has no "true" form, at least not in the movie. The pacing of the movie is absolutely perfect and really causes the viewer to question who is who. This is one of the most suspenseful, claustrophobic and thrilling movies of all time. It's a shame that it didn't perform well at the box office (in part because it was released during the "summer of E.T.") since I would really like to see more the alien's backstory and origins in a possible sequel or prequel.
Creepshow
(1982)
Creepshow
17 December 2004
A mish mash of horror tales from George Romero and Stephen King done in the vein of the old E.C. horror comic books. The stories range from pretty well done (They're Creeping Up on You) to pretty poor (The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill). The special effects in the "Father's Day" segment are really good, and the effects in "The Crate" segment aren't bad either. It should be noted that Tom Savini created the effects for the movie. The acting is varied as well. It is interesting to see a very young Ed Harris dancing like an idiot the the film's first segment. Stephen King's acting in the second part isn't so good, but Leslie Nielsen and E.G. Marshall pretty much make their segments work. The movie also has some cameos from Joe King (Stephen's own son), Christine Forest (Romero's wife), and Tom Savini as a garbageman in the movie's wrap around story. Creepshow is a decent, if forgettable foray into anthology horror for Romero and King.
The Evil Dead
(1981)
The Evil Dead
17 December 2004
The Evil Dead is one of the most imaginative and fun horror movies ever made. You can really tell that Sam Raimi and co. had a blast making this movie as the enthusiasm (along with the blood) pretty much drips down the screen. Hearing all the wild stories about the film's production is as fun and interesting as watching the movie itself. This movie introduced Bruce Campbell and his "Ash" character to the world and pop culture would never be the same again. Bruce is probably the best actor out of the bunch, but that really doesn't say much since the acting is pretty much atrocious. The wild and inventive camera-work and editing make up for it though. The special effects hold up surprisingly well and the filmmakers get extra points from me for creativity. No CGI here folks, this is down and dirty film-making at its best. Probably my personal favorite horror movie of all time this movie has an essential ingredient that most of today's mundane horror movies are missing,.............style.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
17 December 2004
An excellent sequel to Star Wars, this is easily the darkest and most serious out of all the Star Wars films, at least until Revenge of the Sith comes out. This movie benefits from the introduction of Yoda, a diminutive yet wise Jedi master who helps Luke prepare for his showdown with Darth Vader. It also introduces Lando Calrissian, Han's old gambling and smuggling buddy played very well by Billy Dee Williams. Empire is more character driven than the original and relies more on comic relief to help lighten the mood, but it doesn't go overboard with the humor. The story is more refined and the acting is better as well. Despite all of this I can't really say that I enjoyed Empire more than the original. The original Star Wars has a certain charm to it that none of the sequels (or prequels) have captured. I'd say that it is at least on par with the original though and is a fitting follow up in what is probably the greatest series of movies in the history of cinema.
Dawn of the Dead
(1978)
Dawn of the Dead
17 December 2004
George Romero's cult classic sequel to his original "Night of the Living Dead" is in some ways, better than the original. The acting is surprisingly good for a movie of this type. Much like "Night" dealt with a social subtext (racism), Dawn features an even more prominent one (mass consumerism). Romero drives this point home throughout most of the movie, and sometimes it turns more into a satirical comedy with mindless zombies (AKA shoppers) falling down escalators or hopelessly clawing at the doors of the mall to get in. One of my only complaints about the movie is that the special effects don't hold up in some scenes, mostly because of the blood color. It is a surprisingly orange color instead of a realistic reddish one. I've heard that the filmmakers did this on purpose to make it more of a "comic book" movie, but it just doesn't look that good sometimes. The special effects and zombie make-up would be much improved for Dawn's sequel, Day of the Dead.
Star Wars
17 December 2004
Star Wars is an undeniable American film classic. It can be watched and enjoyed by both the young and the old, and it's impact on the history of cinema has been examined countless times. The original Star Wars trilogy were three of the first movies that I ever watched, and I'm very glad I was introduced to the adventures of Luke Skywalker and friends at such an early age. I can't imagine how many times I've seen this film over the past 18 years or so, but it hasn't lost it's appeal at all. The acting could honestly be better in some places, but the special effects and storytelling are top notch. All in all this is a movie which should be watched by everyone at least once in their lifetime.
Army of Darkness
(1992)
Army of Darkness
4 July 2002
When I first watched this I never realized I was watching a piece of horror history. Army of Darkness is the third and funniest installment of the Evil Dead series by Sam Raimi. Bruce Campbell returns as Ash, the chainsaw armed, shotgun toting, deadite killing, one liner spewing, housewares department clerk at S-Mart. In the end of Evil Dead Ash is sucked back in time along with his car into ancient England. I won't give away the movie's plot but Ash royally screws up in a very funny scene in a graveyard and ends up raising an army of darkness which he must help the locals fight off. Bruce Campbell is one of the finest actors on the planet and here he is no exception. While quite possibly it is the weakest of the Evil Dead trilogy it is an awesome movie that nearly anyone would enjoy on a Saturday afternoon. You could do worse with a spare 90 minutes. Recommended to anyone who likes B movies, horror movies, fantasy movies, or comedies.
Aliens
(1986)
Aliens
4 July 2002
Aliens is one of the best movies ever made and features a superb blending of action, science fiction, violence, and characters. The best movie in the series and quite possibly the best sci-fi movie ever made Aliens is a true epic that stands the test of time in every possible way. The acting is extremely well done and features Sigourney Weaver reprising her role as Ripley. She is joined by a sleazy businessman played by Paul Reiser, and a team of high tech colonial marines played expertly by real life Vietnam vet. Al Matthews, and Cameron regulars Michael Beihn, Bill Paxton, and Jenette Goldstein. Lance Henriksen also stars as a soft spoken company android with good intentions for once. The film also boasts the best music of the series with James Horner at the helm of a rousing orchestral score. Exceptional in every way, the only thing that true fans of the original will miss is the horrifying creepiness and the genuine scares of the first, but if you ask me, the action and characters make up for that in a millisecond. Recommended for anyone who enjoys non stop action, sci-fi, or horror.
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