This is a pretty entertaining film, and reason enough for any B-movie horror lover to check out. It’s written by Michael Hamilton Wright who also directs and Stephen King (What in the hell?!) who is un-credited as second writer. When a strict school dean (Lance Henriksen) installs an advanced super-computer for school security, a rebellious young girl name Jo (Chelse Swain) injects a computer virus into the system and accidentally awakens an evil computer entity that traps her and a bunch of friends in school killing them off one by one. The plot, though incredibly contrived, doesn’t have the same plot the original does and actually becomes a lot more interesting in the process.
Tag Archives: Horror
Ghost Ship (2002)
There’s been many ghost films over the past decades, and there’s not much original material or horror devices you can inject within the horror genre these days. Especially films that involve ghosts and spirits because it’s all been done to death. This film is no exception applying to that formula, but it does tend to use the tired clichés with much tenacity that I found it hard to dislike this. No matter how hard I tried, it was tough trying to label it awful, because it isn’t awful. It’s far from being scary, but it’s not dull either.
Wrong Turn (2003) (DVD)
Chris Finn is headed for a job interview and is out on the road of the Appalachian Hills in West Virginia, until he gets lost. He enters upon a deserted back road where he crashes into a car and meets five hikers who are also lost. When they go to search for help, they’ll discover they’re being hunted by three skilled deformed freaks who want them for supper. Despite bombing at the box-office and receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, I was surprised that this wasn’t a horrible movie; as a matter of fact this is really creepy and entertaining… and almost underrated. This reminded me of the slew of psychotic hillbilly flicks that have been released over the years, but even though this is routine in its scares and plot, it’s entertaining and never lets go with its thrills and chills.
Piñata: Survival Island (2002)
I remember checking out the trailer for this online and thought it was a funny idea. So, when it finally appeared on television, I had to check it out for a laugh. After a long-winded and pretentious opener in which a Mexican narrator informs the audience about the legend of a piñata which held the evil essence of villagers to restore prominence back to the village, we get into modern times where a bunch of college students prepare for a scavenger hunt. If you’re going to watch this, watch this for the horror clichés that embroil within this. There’s your usual cast of characters that serve no other purpose than to die in the hands of the evil piñata.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
In this remake — I mean “re-imagining” of the shocking cult horror classic directed by Tobe Hooper, in 1973 five teens on their way to a rock concert find themselves on a deserted road where they pick up a hitchhiker (Laura German) who seems to have been in a traumatic ordeal, when they attempt to comprehend her condition, she commits suicide. The teens attempt to seek help at a large house and wind up entering a horrifying nightmare none of them can escape. Though the film has its flaws it also has a lot of good stuff in it; the filmmakers attempt to stick this so close to the original that comedian John Larroquette who narrated the original, returns to narrate this one; it’s a great tribute. One of the biggest aspects of the original film was the shock of finding that Larroquette (who is a comedian and starred in “Night Court”) narrated such a horrifying film, and the filmmakers don’t skimp out on the fans.
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" Soundtrack (CD)
I wasn’t a fan of the newest version of the cult classic horror film, and it wasn’t much of a change of mood when applied to this soundtrack. As always this is a soundtrack which is comprised solely of head banging hard rock, which isn’t a full complaint, but only a mild gripe. I wouldn’t expect Sarah McLachlan or James Taylor on a soundtrack to this film.
House of the Dead (2003)
After the (literally) seven minute long opening to “House of the dead”, I was almost sure this would suck as I instantly lost patience with this frenzied film; man, I should learn to listen to my instincts more. I sat in the theatres watching and squirming in my seat because I had to use the bathroom, and had pre-determined I would hold it until the movie ended (not wanting to miss out). After about ten minutes in, to the bathroom I went. What’s sad is that this is not only a bad movie, but a bad zombie movie with a lot of potential to it. With a plot off of “Zombie” and “Resident Evil”, the movie had a lot of chances to become innovative and creative yet Uwe Boll takes no chances and goes by the book.