Erik Boccio’s horror survival thriller is a film that sets its foot firmly in the Satanic cult sub-genre. It’s “Straw Dogs” meets “Race with the Devil” but with none of the charm or creativity of the aforementioned. It’s not to say that “Night of the Bastard” isn’t a spirited effort, but the movie spends so much time propping up plot points that it never quite answers, and can also never quite get past the shaky performances and silly dialogue.
Tag Archives: Survival
Sick (2023)
I think soon enough we’ll be at a point where the new generation of filmmakers will be making movies that reflect on the COVID pandemic and how it traumatized the world. The team of John Hyams, Kevin Williamson, and Katelyn Crab concoct what is easily one of the most clever slasher movies of the year, and yet another genre gem in what promises to be a year full of them. “Sick” is a movie that reflects on a COVID ravaged society that also explores ideas about self responsibility and how actions can have dire consequences.
Fall (2022)
There are two types of survival films: One where our characters are in a situation where despite their best efforts, are screwed. The second type is where common sense evades moronic protagonists who dig themselves in to a hole from minute one. Scott Mann’s “Fall” is the second type. Despite being acrophobic’s nightmare (that is about all “Fall” has going for it) it’s basically a how to, of what not to do when honoring a loved one.
DO spread their ashes if you want; it’s trite but sweet.
DON’T climb to the top of a humongous, unstable radio tower to do it.
What ever happened to lakes, oceans, or stable cliffs?
Frost (2022)
A pregnant woman goes to visit her estranged father at his remote mountain house. After they reconnect, they decide to go fishing. On the road, they get in an accident and become stranded. Their will to survive is all they have to make it out alive.
Maneater (2022)
A group of friends heads to paradise, visiting islands and boating to help of their own forget a bad breakup. Soon, they find themselves stranded as a shark starts hunting them.
Emergency Declaration (2022)
A passenger jet takes off for a long voyage, during said voyage a passenger releases a bio-terror threat. As the passengers get sick one by one, the jet takes the decision for an Emergency Declaration.
The Aviary (2022)
Two women hiking through the desert to their possible freedom from a cult are confronted by the reality that leaving this cult may not be as simple as physically leaving it. Continue reading
Virus :32 (2022)
In the age of COVID there’s a re-emergence of virus horror films (like it or lump it), and “Virus :32” is one of the many that’s unique. It’s unique in that it really wants to be considered a part of the “28 Days Later” canon, even lifting bars from the score track “In the House.” It’s not to say that “Virus :32” is a bad movie. It’s actually a very solid survival horror drama if you’re hungry for a good zombie picture and have nothing else at hand to watch.