Occupants (2015)

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

For anyone like me who take interest in the concept of parallel worlds, director Russell Emanuel embraces the found footage sub-genre while also dodging the gimmicky trappings in favor of a much more intelligent genre title involving the scientific idea. “Occupants” explores the theory of parallel realities, and how it’s theorized our lives can align with alternate versions of ourselves. Much like “Paranormal Activity,” Emanuel sets his film primarily in one setting, but the similarities end there. Emanuel has his finger on the pulse of science fiction, exploring a realm where every movement is intricate and our characters begin to dabble in the God Complex resulting in some absolutely horrendous consequences.

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Avenged (2015)

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

I wish “The Crow” sequels took as much of an advantage with a creative premise as director Michael S. Ojeda does with “Avenged.” While his film isn’t exactly a revenge masterpiece, it’s a strong contender for one of the finer revenge films of the past five years, working as a tragic love story, and a vicious horror themed tale of vengeance. Amanda Adrienne Smith is rather compelling as the victimized Zoe, a deaf mute who ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time.

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B.C. Butcher (2016)

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

Director Kim Bowling’s “B.C. Butcher” wears its self awareness and cheap budget on its sleeve, and doesn’t seem to care that it’s a bare minimum production. For folks that appreciate the kind of low budget schlock director Bowling practices, “B.C. Butcher” might serve as a fun diversion with a mercifully short run time. There aren’t many slasher revenge films set in the prehistoric era, and “B.C. Butcher” drives that concept home with some fun gore, slick kills, and a fun villain who also happens to be a caveman.

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The Guardian (1990) [Blu-Ray]

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

William Friedkin has a knack for creating genuinely uneasy horror films that destroy the concept of domesticity. “The Guardian” completely turns the idea of parenthood on its head, transforming the suburban family in to a veritable nightmare. “The Guardian” carries on the tradition of a menace from the outside ruining the family unit, this time following mundane couple Phil and Kate Sterling as they greet a new child in to their home. “The Guardian” is directed and staged very much like a nightmare that never ends, even with normal scenes of happiness depicted in a very surreal lens.

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Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

The sequel to Genndy Tartakovsky’s entertaining “Hotel Transylvania” is what I’d define as blatant cash grab. It’s a follow up with a very typical and broadly written turn of events, what narrative it offers for the follow up is slim and often times nowhere to be found, all the while the sequel as a whole feels like a glorified pilot for the inevitable “Hotel Transylvania” TV show. I almost expect an announcement after the initial sales for the home video release about a TV show coming down the pipe. The movie essentially sets up characters for a TV series, and it’s barely competent as a sequel. Of course rather than focus on the dynamic between Mavis and new husband Johnny, we now view them as parents.

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Our Top 10 Minority Movie Heroes Part II

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

I had a good time compiling a list of some of the best and most entertaining minority movie heroes, so I thought it’d only be fitting to offer up a sequel to the list with ten more movie minority movie heroes. I had a lot more suggestions this time thanks to the help of some friends, but narrowed them all down to these ten interesting and magnetic heroes of film. Did I miss any characters that you feel should have been included? Let us know!

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Intruders (2016)

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Felix Vasquez

Adam Schindler’s “Intruders” (formerly “Shut In”) works with a fairly solid concept that begins with a clever note and then uses the concept to keep out of gimmicky trappings and implement it as a means of exploring a very unique kind of horror protagonist. By the end of “Intruders” you’ll either really care about Anna’s plight, or really fear what kind of maniac she’s capable of becoming, especially when she decides to approach her enemies with a swift and merciless motion.

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