There’s a moment during “Dracula 3D” where I had to look away from the screen and cringe in utter embarrassment. It’s not the scene with the giant mantis, but where Dracula and Mina Harker are pitching woo on the castle balcony in the night. In between the pillars you can see a night sky and moon light so badly composited on to the screen, with atmosphere so poorly made up of blatant CGI, that it’s shocking in its sloppiness. Dario Argento is much better than this. Hell, Asia Argento is much better than this.
Tag Archives: Mystery
Take It Back (2013)
Director Josef Rodriguez’s short horror film “Take it Back” feels more experimental than a narrative when all is said and done. Given its short run time and atmosphere, it could use a ton of exposition and about five more minutes of back story. That said, in spite of its inherent faults, Rodriguez is definitely on to something in the horror realm, as “Take it Back” is interesting and definitely creepy.
Violet & Daisy (2011)
One thing about “Violet & Daisy” that bugged me most, was that it pretends to be about something. When really, it isn’t. We don’t get to meet or know Violet & Daisy long enough to understand their characters or motivation. With the writing and short run time, “Violet & Daisy” portrays the titular duo as two moronic teenagers that happen to be assassins for some kind of gang or mafia organization.
The Lords of Salem (2013)
One thing about Rob Zombie as a director is that he’s tasked with finishing one of his many nonsensical horror films with Sheri Moon as the lead. Sheri Moon is not an actress by any definition. She’s mostly suited for silent supporting roles with someone else doing the heavy lifting. Hence why she’s so much fun in “The Devil’s Rejects.” Sid Haig and Bill Moseley are such excellent actors, Moon doesn’t have to do much but work off them. With “Lords of Salem,” Zombie seems to realize Moon can’t carry a movie on her own, so he once again gives Moon a great supporting cast to work off of. When that safety net is gone, Moon mostly plays her role without much dialogue or heavy emoting, as Zombie fills in her bad performance with a ton of surrealism.
The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) [Blu-ray/DVD] Combo
Director Charles B. Pierce’s murder mystery is still a rather effective horror film, but one that hasn’t aged too well. It tends to watch more like a television movie or two hour special from “Believe It or Not!” rather than an actual horror film. Though very influential for its time, “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” has all the interesting elements for a great horror film, but doesn’t quite stack up to a horror film based on a real life series of murders like “Helter Skelter,” or “In Cold Blood.”
Q: The Winged Serpent (1982) [Blu-Ray]
Producer: Larry I love your script.
Larry Cohen: Thank you!
Producer: I mean, Aztec Cults, ritual murders, a crime investigation, it’s wonderful.
Larry Cohen: I also have David Carradine and Richard Roundtree in mind to star.
Producer: Excellent. Just throw in a large monster for no reason and we’ll make your movie!
Larry Cohen: Great! I’ll… wait–what?
Producer: There has to be a large monster wreaking havoc. “King Kong” is still big after all. And make it look like a featherless chicken. That’s the ticket!
The Town that Dreaded Sundown (1976) [Blu-Ray/DVD Combo]
Director Charles B. Pierce’s murder mystery is still a rather effective horror film, but one that hasn’t aged too well. It tends to watch more like a television movie or two hour special from “Believe It or Not!” rather than an actual horror film. Though very influential for its time, “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” has all the interesting elements for a great horror film, but doesn’t quite stack up to a horror film based on a real life series of murders like “Helter Skelter,” or “In Cold Blood.”


