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Rockstar (2019)
Vast improvement over previous Tempest Universe shorts
This entry into the tempest Universe created by Adrian Chick is a vast improvement over previous entries, largely down to the better script.
There is much more background into the characters in this short, we get a proper feel for who they are and their motivations. The acting is improved and the plot is interesting with the right amount of mystery. At 21 mins long it's also a good length and doesn't over stay its welcome.
Hopefully further entries in the universe can maintain this standard.
Lockwood Hills (2018)
Unfortunately suffers the same issue as other Tempest Universe Shorts
Lockwood Hills is another entry into the Tempest Universe created by Adrian Chick. It's his longest 'short' film to date and it suffers because of this, it's too long.
The camera work and music are both good but the acting is very amateurish bar the actor who plays Mike. The dialogue is also very unnatural at times but this could also be down to the level of acting.
However the real issue is again down to the narrative, there just isn't enough plot here to make the film that interesting. There's no background plot, very little world building or characterisation which just leaves the film feeling empty. The viewer has very little knowledge of why things are happening so ultimately doesn't really care.
There is real potential within the Tempest Universe if the writers would focus more on building their world and plot so that the viewer understands it instead of trying to leave everything mysterious.
Crimson Eye (2018)
Nice Camera Work
This short is very well shot with some excellent camera work. There's not a huge amount of plot but just enough to keep it interesting.
My main issue is that an older actor should have played the part of the CEO. Otherwise it's an interesting short.
Stargaze (2018)
Tempest Universe is improving all the time
This was a much stronger series that Channel 7, the previous series the tempest universe. The main reason being that Stargaze had a narrative at the centre of it despite fizzling out at the end.
The 'wraparound' idea of a paranormal channel works well and there is a nice amount of mystery surrounding each entry however it's a shame that all the build up doesn't really pay off.
I appreciate that the filmmakers were very young making this and I can see them improving all the time.
Channel 7 (2019)
Technically proficient but lacks narrative
Channel 7 is an analog horror series with the episodes centering around the titular Channel 7 tv station in the 80's and 90's with all entries being snippets taken from the channels programming where various strange happenings occur.
The episodes are mostly very well made with the faux vhs quality video and emergency broadcasts mostly very well done.
The problem lies with the narrative, either there isn't one or the creators made it so vague that it's almost impossible to follow. Some of the entries are creepy and do have a standalone narrative but these series work best when there's an overarching story being told but there just ins't one here to make the series interesting.
A lot of the videos have text flash on the screen for a micro-second and hidden messages portrayed in ways like morse code or binary code but all this does is make the viewer have to do more work for little reward.
The creators really needed to come up with some kind of a plot first and then base the episodes around this. There are various theories available on youtube but really it shouldn't be this difficult to get some kind of a plot from the episodes.
I give the creators credit for their technical proficiency but huge work is needed on narrative writing.
Marble Hornets (2009)
All in all a Very entertaining Series
Firstly I was largely unaware of the Slenderman mythos before starting this series but this did not effect my enjoyment at all.
Marble Hornets is a well made web series that does a great job of slowly ratcheting up the mystery as the series progresses. I think that series really starts off strong, with short but interesting entries and the perfect use of real life locations.
Unfortunately it does lose it's way a little as the series progresses due to the entries becoming unnecessarily long with large sections of characters walking around buildings/fields with nothing happening. These entries could have been edited down significantly and it would have given the series better pacing. The one caveat to this is that I started watching after the series had ended so I did not have to wait in-between entries for the next one to be released.
The ending is well done which actually came as a nice surprise and it wrapped everything up well.
Marble Hornets is well worth your time but just be prepared to slog through some of the longer entries.
The Walten Files (2020)
Excellent Animation but poor storytelling
This series is very well made with some nice visuals but it really does drag on for too long and ends up being a convoluted and rather unoriginal plot. The third episode in particular is far too long and should have been edited down a lot.
The plot itself is quite convoluted and difficult to decipher at times but ultimately ends up being nothing particularly interesting.
It's well made but as analog horror series go, this is one of the poorer efforts.
It Chapter Two (2019)
CGI is Not Scary
I really enjoyed IT Chapter One, it was well directed and featured some great scary scenes. This amkes it even more baffling how this film could be so poor compared to the entry.
Firstly it's far too long, I think pretty much everyone is in agreement here. The scenes from mid section of film could have been much shorter, as could the finale.
Secondly, and definitely the films biggest problem, is the over reliance on CGI. It just isn't scary and looks like PlayStation game. Whatever happened to practical effects? CGI will never be an adequate replacement for practical effects. There is simply nothing frightening about IT Chapter Two, with the finale playing out like a CGI laden action adventure film.
The actual ploy of the film is also confusing and it isn't explained very well at all.
Just watch and enjoy the first film, there's no need to bother with this one.
Breeder (2020)
Sadistic and Unoriginal
Unoriginal plot, sadistic torture scenes and a ludicrous ending. This is a tough watch and not in a good way.
The most positive thing I can say is it's certainly not boring but shock value for the sake of it does not a good film make.
The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022)
Should have been a film
I'm really confused by what they were going for with this series. The title suggests it's going to be a comedy parody of sorts, and it is at times, but ultimately it just isn't comedic enough and ends up being neither parody nor straight up crime thriller
It also drags on for far too long. This would have been good as a 1hr 30m film but not an almost 4hr long series.
It's not funny enough and far too long. More of a miss than a hit.
Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018)
Awful acting and dialogue interspersed with good horror scenes
This sequel to Hell House LLC gives us some interesting backstory into the events surrounding the Abaddon Hotel and there are some excellent horror scenes to be found here. The director clearly has an eye for creating creepy scenes, particularly those involving the clown.
Sadly though the acting is truly awful which, in a faux documentary film, really drags everything down and becomes almost comedic at times. The dialogue is poor at times too.
It's a shame as the horror scenes are excellent.
Termination Point (2007)
Entertaining Nonsense
Termination point is a surprisingly decent B-movie that is well made on a tiny budget and contains solid acting from most involved. Usually made for TV Sc-Fi channel films have terrible plots with the worst actors imaginable to Termination Point really was a nice surprise that was entertaining from start to finish.
The plot is reasonable interesting, a scientist creates a teleportation device that works by first sending the person or object to an alternate universe called "null space" before sending them back to earth in a different place. after learning that his device will be used as a military weapon, he steals it and boards a flight. However authorities find out he is on the flight and attempt to shoot it down. Cue the scientist using the device and the plane and it's passengers becoming stuck in null space. Agent Caleb (a decent Jason Priestley) must race against time to get the plane back to earth by finding a second control device while dealing with rogue agents and a race against time.
Now the plot is completely ridiculous and has an incredible amount of plot holes but if you suspend your disbelief there is plenty to entertain you here. The film is well shot with strong acting all round. The race against time aspect is handled very well meaning the film goes along at a fast pace. There is plenty of twists and turns as we find out there are rogue agents trying to steal the device for themselves. The only downside is the awful CGI effects but with such a small budget this can be forgiven, especially since the director managed to get such a decent cast. The soundtrack is pretty terrible and is probably recycled from previous Sci-Fi channel films and the ending makes very little sense if you really think about it but Termination Point is a great little turn your brain off film to watch on a Sunday afternoon. Definitely one of the Sci-Fi channels better offerings which will please most B-Movie fans.
Untraceable (2008)
Mildly engaging but full of Clichés and Plot Holes
Director Gregory Hoblit (of Primal fear fame) gives us a mildly engaging Horror/Thriller that could have been so much more. The premise of Untraceable is interesting and important in today's society but the execution is laboured and very disappointing. The plot focuses on a crazed killer who creates a website called www.killwithme.com where he streams live videos of people being killed in ever increasingly creative and torturous ways. The morbid curiosity of humans is the driving force behind the killings as the more people who log onto the website the quicker the person dies. This plot line should have allowed the director all manner of possibilities to explore current societal problems, but instead we are dealt a run of the mill film filled with all the usual clichés and a bucket load of plot holes.
Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
Excellent Action
Director Michael Davis has created a gloriously over blown action film parody that is hugely entertaining from start to finish. The plot is largely irrelevant but it's well put together nonetheless. Smith (Clive Owen) accidentally happens upon a shoot out between a gang of gunmen and a pregnant woman who is staggering down the street, obviously in the middle of giving birth. He reluctantly comes to her rescue and delivers the baby (during a shoot out of course), only for the mother to be killed by a stray bullet. Smith, with the help of a beautiful prostitute (Monica Belluci) must now protect the baby from numerous assassins, led by the charismatic and slightly insane Hertz (Paul Giamatti), who are hell bent on sending the child to an early grave.
The film is pure fun, with outrageous shootouts, downright impossible car chases, vegetable related killings and a barrage of hilarious one-liners from Owen and Giamatti. Highlights include a roof top shootout with a difference, a skydiving shootout, an amazing car chase shoot out, a diner shoot out
I think you get the picture. Even the obligatory sex scene takes place during a shoot out! Davis has taken Tarantino stylings, computer game violence and Looney Toons mayhem and put it all together to create the most enjoyable film of the year. You will be laughing from start to finish at how ridiculous it all is but if your adrenaline is not pumping while watching this gem then you may want to check your heart beat, because you're probably dead! Amazing action sequences and a brilliant soundtrack throughout, don't miss it! 9/10