Jack the Ripper is one of the most fascinating serial killers of all time mainly because of the way they (I always assumed it was more than one killer) murdered, and their targets. Sadly, the entity has managed to inspire so many horror films, some very good, and some known as “Jack’s Back.” A cheapy little vehicle, “Jack’s Back” has vague connections to Jack the Ripper, but it overplays its hand by sidestepping the slasher motif, trying to be a cerebral character study. It fails on most fronts. Instead watching like a goofy, often muddled mess that I had a tough time keeping up with.
Tag Archives: Slasher
B.C. Butcher (2016)
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.
Emilie Black’s Best and Worst of 2015
Each year I tell myself I’ll make an end of year list of the Best and Worst movies I’ve seen during that year, but usually fail to make said list. This year, I’ve actually done it. Ok, I did it about a week late, but it still counts. In 2015, I saw a little over 200 movies, not all 2015 releases, but still a “respectable” number considering I was mostly out of the reviewing business until July when the bug caught me again. This means I’ve missed a ton of movies and am doing this list out of what I’ve seen. 2015 was as solid year for me with a lot of good to great films and very few bad ones which means this will not be a Top 10 Best and Bottom 10 Worst, but more of a collection of titles to check out or avoid.
The Final Girls (2015)
Todd Strauss-Schulson‘s “The Final Girls” is probably the best coming of age film of the year. Hiding beneath the veneer of a slasher horror comedy beats a touching and heartbreaking dramedy about letting go, and accepting that sometimes nature has to take its course. Taissa Farmiga is wonderful as young Max, the daughter of Amanda, a once popular actress who has unfortunately been typecast for her role as Nancy in a famous slasher movie named “Camp Bloodbath.” Max keeps the hope in her mom alive, despite Amanda completely losing faith in herself, and in the hope of becoming a popular actress once again. Tragically the pair gets in to a horrible car crash killing Amanda and leaving Max orphaned. Three years later, Max is still clinging to memories, and is convinced by friend Duncan to attend a double screening of mom Amanda’s “Camp Bloodbath” movies, in hopes of indulging hardcore fans of the movie series.
The Final Girls (2015)
After her mother’s death, Max has difficulty re-adjusting to life without her. As she grieves, she’s invited to a screening of 80s slasher Camp Bloodbath in which her mother starred. Against what might be her better judgment, she decides to go with her friends. Once there, an incident pushes the group into the film itself, Last Action Hero style, where they face off with its masked baddie Billy Murphy and try to save themselves, the cast, and Max’s mother.
Scary Movie (2000)
Keenan Ivory Wayans never really hit that high that he did with “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka!”, but it’s interesting to see that “Scary Movie” comes shockingly close to the same comedy gold that the aforementioned film did, many times. Brandishing the original title for Wes Craven’s “Scream,” Wayans and co. never quite hit the timelessness of “Airplane!” mainly because you didn’t have to see the original movies from “Airplane!” to understand its humor. With “Scary Movie,” however, you have to have an education in late nineties horror.
Maggie vs. Evil Dead (2015)
I agree with the zombies. Maggie Carr is incredibly charming, and very funny, which is a lethal combination. “Maggie vs. Evil Dead” is a hilarious and very good horror comedy starring Maggie Carr who plays herself. She is pitching herself for the new series “Ash vs. The Evil Dead” and uses this opportunity to show what she’s capable of.