As a slasher buff, I’m saddened that we’re in a current horror climate where other less deserving slasher films have gotten full fledged franchises while “Behind the Mask” is still just a one time gem. “The Rise of Leslie Vernon” is one of the best slasher films of the aughts that was perfecting the indie slasher sub-genre well before “Hatchet” came along. No slight to Adam Green, but I’d much rather have had three “Behind the Mask” films over four “Hatchet” films any day of the week. “Behind the Mask” is brilliant in not only creating a great slasher villain, but telling a sharp meta-story that dissects the sub-genre as a whole.
Tag Archives: Thriller
Dead by Midnight (11p.m. Central) (2018)
In this anthology, a television station plays films hosted by a charming goth lady. As the films unfold, people go missing and meet their horrible fates.
Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare? (2018)
“Truth or Dare?” is a movie that feels like it belongs in 2005 where Hollywood was churning out abysmal remakes of mediocre Japanese horror movies. And that’s what it felt like I was sitting through. It feels like somewhere there’s an original Japanese version of “Truth or Dare?” that’s sadly not even very good, either. “Truth or Dare?” comes from Blumhouse which is usually great about releasing bold and unique horror movies. Even when they land with a thud, their cinematic experiments usually have potential to impress. “Truth or Dare?” wants to be this modern tech iteration of “It Follows” and “The Ring.” With a competent director and writer, this could very well have been a haunting story about the damaging effect of secrets, trauma, and how we never quite know the people we love.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) (Spoiler Filled Review)
After ten years of dodging threats left and right and staring down world destroying villains all through time and space, the Avengers meet their greatest foe yet. Known as Thanos, he’s a warmonger and mad man who has waged pure battle against the concept of life, and seeks six gemstones to complete his gauntlet. Said gauntlet will grant him the powers of a god, allowing him to complete his ultimate goal for the Marvel Universe. Suffice to say that after every threat has been thwarted from Red Skull to Loki, Thanos is the most fierce and complex villain that the Avengers has ever met.
Spoilers after the Jump >>>
Batman Ninja (2018)
Whether you love or hate “Batman Ninja,” you have to admit DC is at least going for something completely different and radical this time around. With a different crew and approach toward the mythology, “Batman Ninja” is a unique time traveling tale that finds Batman at his most godlike, worshipped as a near invincible warrior in Feudal Japan. Beautifully directed by Junpei Mizusaki, “Batman Ninja” puts the entire aesthetic of the DC character in to some of the wildest anime filters, and it works most of the time. Some concepts land with a thud, but when “Batman Ninja” soars, it’s quite spectacular.
The Ashram (2018) [Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2018]
After Sophie disappears while on a spiritual trip, Jamie goes to the Himalayas to find her and bring her home. While there, he meets a group of people who believe in a higher power he doesn’t understand.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: Special Edition (1988) [Blu-Ray]
I’m not entirely sure why, but I hated “Killer Klowns” when I was a kid. And I say this as someone who loved “Spaced Invaders.” That said, watching it years later, it’s shocking how great “Killer Klowns” is as much as it is creative. You can tell “Killer Klowns” is working on a tight budget, but it’s also obviously spending every single penny meticulously to work toward the movie’s benefit. While the film isn’t perfect, “Killer Klowns” earns its cult classic status as a very unique horror comedy. It’s creative, it’s funny, it’s delightfully gruesome and you have to love that theme song.