“The Grove” is what I’d think of as the “Of Mice and Men” version of “The Walking Dead.” It’s a twisted tale of a beast without knowledge of how to survive in the world, and the inevitability that they’ll be a danger to themselves and everyone around them. Easily the most disturbing episode of the series yet, “The Grove” begins on a very eerie and absolutely surreal note that’s both cryptic and terrifying. Are we watching a dream? A flashback? A fever delusion? A memory? Or perhaps the life of someone who owned a sweet house in a grove once upon a time? One of the interesting ideas presented behind “The Grove” is the idea that perhaps Sophia died simply because she just didn’t see what was before her. Maybe Sophia didn’t view the walkers as a threat, or just didn’t view them as monsters when all was said and done.
Game Companion (2014)
I really like the concept that director Jeff James Monson and writer Brian Morelan go for with what I would describe as “Weird Science” for the gamer audiences. “Game Companion” is a funny and zany short film about two hardcore gamers that happen to master their favorite fighting game. Little do they know that their reward is being able to garner a companion in the beautiful game character Kimiko. But things go awry quickly.
Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994)
I’d say the reason why Harvey Comics’ adaptation of “Casper” is so great, while the adaptation of “Richie Rich” (or “Ri¢hie Ri¢h”) is so terrible is simple. We can relate to a poor child that lost his life and now lingers as a ghost looking for love. We can’t relate to an obscenely rich child whose life is only difficult because he can’t make friends. “Richie Rich” has always been a one note character filled with really boring jokes, and I’m not too surprised the movie is so terrible and unfunny when all is said and done. It’s not even very appealing to kids. Sure, you can make the argument that it’s every kids fantasy to be rich, but I think “Blank Check” covered that fantasy. Not well, mind you, but it covered it wholesale.
From the Core (2014)
I’m not really sure if what I saw from director Jeff Thompson was the final cut of “From the Core,” but I’d say if anything, the major downfall to his horror short is lack of story and bad editing. There are many inexplicable moments that add nothing to the movie, and I was never sure what he was aiming for.
The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 14: The Grove
“The Grove” is what I’d think of as the “Of Mice and Men” version of “The Walking Dead.” It’s a twisted tale of a beast without knowledge of how to survive in the world, and the inevitability that they’ll be a danger to themselves and everyone around them. Easily the most disturbing episode of the series yet, “The Grove” begins on a very eerie and absolutely surreal note that’s both cryptic and terrifying. Are we watching a dream? A flashback? A fever delusion? A memory? Or perhaps the life of someone who owned a sweet house in a grove once upon a time? One of the interesting ideas presented behind “The Grove” is the idea that perhaps Sophia died simply because she just didn’t see what was before her. Maybe Sophia didn’t view the walkers as a threat, or just didn’t view them as monsters when all was said and done.
Lucky (2014)
It’s hard to believe this film took eight hours to shoot. Director Jakob Bilinski manages to cut together such a tightly wound and excellent little horror film that it’s impossible to believe it came out so great, let alone coherent. “Lucky” is a fantastic horror film in the tradition of classic comeuppance stories that really do allow the audience to revel in the twist before us.
Monsters: The Complete Series (DVD)
After spending years in bootleg limbo, horror fans finally can own all seventy two episodes of the 1980’s anthology series “Monsters.” We’ve made no secret of our love for the series in the past, and it’s great to finally see the series get its due on DVD. I’m sure a lot of Blu-Ray geeks are pining for their own editions, but for now, this set is a great step forward. Perhaps we’ll eventually see a Blu-Ray edition for fans down the line.