Lucky (2002)

Lucky (2002)
Director: Steve Cuden
Writer: Stephen Sustarsic
Cast: Michael Emanuel, Piper Cochrane, David Reivers (voice of Lucky)
Ever have one of those lifetimes where nothing seems to go right? Failing cartoon writer, Millard Mudd, has sunk deep into one. Living hermit-like and existing on a strict alcohol diet, Mudd's world has collapsed. But one day everything changes when a dog named Lucky enters his life. You see, what makes Lucky no ordinary dog is his ability to talk. And what makes Lucky invaluable is his ability to teach Mudd how to write again. But what makes Lucky dangerous is his ability to get inside Mudd's head and turn him into a serial killer.
IMDB Page
Crude though not without a certain unique charm dark comedy about a lonely cartoon writer and a run over dog he manages to bring back to life. Millard Mudds lonely life is shit having writers block and a spiralling drink problem, all until he runs down a dog called Lucky that somehow manages to come back from the dead. Thing is Lucky isn't just any old dog but one that can talk telepathicly to people. For a short while it helps him get his life more on track giving him help with his writing and even finding a date. All is well until Millard starts to go a little nutty (like having a dog talk to you isn't already nuts enough) eventually killing women even raping one of their dead bodies (the necrophilia is much more tasteful if you can say that with this subject more like Cold Moon than grisly as in Necromantic). I'd waited ages to see this so was finally glad when I managed to track it down, sadly it failed a little in my expectations. Having won great reviews years back during the NY horror festival even winning awards there. Sadly its more a dark comedy than horror and features way too much waffle than action. Don't get me wrong some of the dialogue is agreeably very funny, but it would of been nice to see more action than Millard sat around basically talking to himself most the movie.
(6 Out Of 10)
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Flu Bird Horror (2008)

Flu Bird Horror (2008)
Director: Leigh Scott
Writer: !!
Cast: Bill Posley, Claire Carey, Lance Geust
During what is supposed to be a quiet camping retreat, six teens find themselves being hunted by giant birds infected with a mysterious virus that has morphed the birds into deadly predators. When the teens flee from the woods to a nearby military bunker on the outskirts of town, the flock of infected birds descends, spreading the killer virus they carry throughout the nearby town. One by one, the townspeople succumb to the virus, but a small group of them and the teens are able to find impenetrable shelter… at least for now. Will the teens be able to make it out of the town alive or will they end up as bird food?
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)
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Dante 01 (2008)

Dante 01 (2008)
Director: Marc Caro
Writer: Pierre Bordage, Marc Caro
Cast: Lambert Wilson, Linh Dan Pham, Dominique Pinon, Yann Collette
Deep space, at the edge of the galaxy. The future. A new prisoner arrives on top security prison ship and psychiatric research unit Dante 01. Sole survivor of an encounter with an alien force beyond imagining, Saint Georges is a man possessed by inner demons, caught up in the battle to control the monstrous power within him. It's a power that will infect the other highly dangerous occupants of Dante 01, gaolors and prisoners alike, unleashing a violent rebellion that turns this terrifying, labyrinthine world upside down. In the otherworldly hell of the ship's depths, through danger and redemption, each must journey to his very limits... each must confront his own Dragon.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Manhunt (2008)

Manhunt (2008)
aka Rovdyr
Director: Patrik Syversen
Writer: Nini Bull Robsahm, Patrik Syversen
Cast: Kristina Leganger Aaserud, Janne Beate Bønes, Henriette Bruusgaard
Its the summer of 1974. Four friends have planned a recreational weekend hiking and camping in the forest. At a remote truck stop they pick up an anxious hitchhiker who only after a short ride demands they stop the vehicle. She is clearly frightened of something but what she cant begin to describe in her carsick terror. Suddenly the group are ambushed and left unconscious. When they wake up deep in the woods, all they can hear is the sound of a hunting horn. The game is on and they realise with nightmare shock that they are the prey.
IMDB Page
The over used formula of teens taking a camping trip is given a new brutal spin in this Norwegian survival-horror. Set in 1974 its about four friends heading out on a camping trip, while taking a break in a roadside cafe they meet and agree to help give a ride to a desperate looking girl (Mistake #1). Only the hitchhiker is sick and theyre forced to make an unplanned stop while on a woodside road (Mistake #2). Its now they're set upon by three hunters who seem to be using humans as their prey. Sure we've seen this kind of teen campers / hiker / woods story before (TCM, Just Before Dawn, Wrong Turn) its a very tried'n'tired subgenre, thankfully apart from its lackluster plot its got alot to recommend like its solid acting, realistic gorefx, stylish direction and one hell of a cool booming scoreline. Patrik Syversen debut is sure to be seen as the best horror début since Greg Mclean delivered up Wolf Creek.

(7 out of 10)


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No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker (2008)

No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker (2008)
Director: Dave Payne
Writer: Dave Payne
Cast: Michael Muhney , Mircea Monroe, Wilmer Calderon, Valerie Cruz

Starring: Michael Muhney , Mircea Monroe
A sheriff and his son chase casino robbers, only to find the all of them are being chased by something else.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Survive This (2005)
Director: Ed Wahl
Writer: Paul LaRocca, Ed Wahl
Cast: Gina Lynn , Dale Resteghini , The Naked Cowboy
Cory Lodge is the supreme scam artist, who put his world on the line when he baits the multi millionaire television producer Mr. Jillbralta into putting up 500K for a new reality TV show... "Survive This..." Cory and his beautiful assistant decide to film their show from the legendary haunted, Pirates Island. Soon Cory and the contestants learn the hard way why this island has be deserted... As the show's super sexy contestants begin to die... one by one. Tune in and see just who may "Survive This..."
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Madame O (1967)

Madame O (1967)
aka Zoku akutokui: Joi-hen, Vicious Doctor: Part 2
Director: Seiichi Fukuda
Writer: Tomomi Tsukasa
Cast: Michiko Sakyô, Yuichi Minato, Akihiko Kanbara, Naomi Tani
At the tender age of sixteen, Seiko was sexually abused by three men. This horrifying attack scarred her mentally and resulted in her getting pregnant and infected with syphilis. Now a well-respected doctor in Japan, she practices medicine by day and prowls the city streets at night in search of lovers. Possessing a raging desire for revenge against man, she destroys them with the one weapon they cannot resist...sex! Finally marrying and settling down, Saeko's life changes for the better. But, her new husband may have a dark secret of his own… MADAME O is a classic and controversial tale of revenge from late 1960s Japan. Director Seiichi Fukuda uses widescreen cinematography and a strange mix of both black and white and color imagery to paralyze audiences with gore, nudity and shocking violence.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)

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Summer Time Machine Blues (2005)

Summer Time Machine Blues (2005)
aka Samâ taimumashin burûsu
Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro
Writer: Makoto Ueda
Cast: Eita, Yoshiaki Yoza, Daijiro Kawaoka, Munenori Nagano
5 college boys, Takuma, Masaru, Shunsuke, Atsushi and Daigo all belong to sci-fi club, but they are not interested in science at all. They usually just hang around, play baseball or card, or take bath at the public bath. One day, they accidentally spill Coke on the remote controller of the air-conditioner. In the sweating bath-like clubroom, suddenly a time machine appears. Eventually, they decide to go back to "yesterday" to bring the remote-controller. The mission ought to be quite easy, however, gradually they come to be worried. "What if we change the past? Aren't we going to disappear like in movies?
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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The Strangers (2008)

The Strangers (2008)
Director: Bryan Bertino
Writer: Bryan Bertino
Cast: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward
After returning from a wedding reception, a couple staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What ensues is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what either of them thought capable in order to survive.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)



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Art Of The Devil 3

Art Of The Devil 3
aka Long Khong 2
Director: Kongkiat Khomsiri
Writer: ???
Cast: Napakpapha Nakprasitte, Supakorn Kitsuwan, Namo Tongkumnerd
Art of the Devil III (Long Khong 2) is a prequel to the second film, showing how the teacher Phanor came to acquire her sorcery skills.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)



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The Devil's Chair (2006)

The Devil's Chair (2006)
Director: Adam Mason
Writers: Simon Boyes, Adam Mason
Cast: Olivia Hill, Eric M. Breiman, Gary Mackay
With a pocketful of drugs, Nick West (Andrew Howard) takes out his girlfriend Sammy (Polly Brown), for a shag and a good time. When they explore an abandoned asylum, the discovery of a bizarre device - a cross between an electric chair and sadistic fetish machine - transforms drugged-out bliss into agony and despair.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)





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The Wizard of Gore (2007)

The Wizard of Gore (2007)
Director: Jeremy Kasten
Writer: Zach Chassler (Based on Herschell Gordon Lewis & Allen Kahn original)
Cast: Crispin Glover, Kip Pardue, Bijou Phillips
Montag the Magnificent (Glover) is a master illusionist who performs at underground venues, selecting female volunteers from his rave-like audiences. To their hysteria, it appears he's dismembered their bodies, but his sleigh of hand has fooled them. However, female bodies show up dead from the same wounds performed on stage. Investigators are baffled, and the chase to find the killer begins.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)



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Monster Ark (2008)

Monster Ark (2008)
aka Genesis Code
Director: Declan O'Brien
Writer: Declan O'Brien
Cast: Carlos Leon, Amanda Crew, Tim DeKay, Richard Gnolfo
Buried under the sands of Iraq world famous archaeologist Nicholas Solomon has found a clue to the one of the ancient mysteries of the Old Testament. Solomon’s discovery leads to a remote desert which contains the remnants of an ark. The team must fight off insurgents as they uncover the mystery. Things turn deadly as they discover this ark didn’t carry animals, it carried something evil.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)




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Lost Boys: The Tribe (2008)

Lost Boys: The Tribe (2008)
Director: P.J. Pesce
Writer: Hans Rodionoff
Cast: Corey Feldman, Autumn Reeser, Tad Hilgenbrink, Tom Savini, Corey Haim ?
Risking everything in search of the ultimate rush is fun when you know you can't die. Angus Sutherland taking up where brother Kiefer left off in the original cult favorite is the lead vampire in this modern reimagining of The Lost Boys. The seaside village of Luna Bay is rife with outcasts and plagued by an outbreak of missing persons. AS the sun sets the Tribe rises: a group of adrenalin-fueled thrill-crazed vampires tears up the surf and the streets with nonstop action. But when a champion surfer and his sister move in dark secrets erupt into hot-blooded passion and full-blooded fear. Helping fight the forces of hell: Corey Feldman in his signature role of vampire hunter Edgar Frog. Once you join the Tribe there's no turning back.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Johnny Sunshine Maximum Violence (2008)

Johnny Sunshine Maximum Violence (2008)
Director: Matt Yeager
Writer: Sean-Michael Argo
Cast: Shey Bland, John Patrick McCauley, Eric Halsell
The Sprawl, a seedy underworld of exploitation, violence, and zombies. In this maze of alleyways and speakeasies life is cheap, drugs are cheaper, and surviving to a ripe old age is an urban myth. At the center of it all is Johnny Sunshine, a porn star and killer for hire. She stalks the night like a tempest of sex and violence, much to the pleasure and profit of her producer, Max, and his entertainment empire. As the body count rises, Johnny becomes a victim of her own success. In secret a plot is hatched to orchestrate her downfall, and capture it all on camera to create the greatest snuff film ever made.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Black Ribbon (2007)

Black Ribbon (2007)
Director: John Orrichio
Writer: John Orrichio
Cast: Tony Rugnetta, Jacki Vogel,Rudy J. Altenor, Berenice Di Piazza
Black Ribbon revolves around the life of prominent writer Ken Richardson, who decides to move to the country with his wife Beth in order to live in a serene environment while working on his new novel. One of his enjoyments is collecting various antique toys and artifacts through on line auctions and one day he purchases the ultimate possession. Through an Internet auction he suddenly becomes the owner of a unique typewriter dating back to the mid 1800's. It is actually the only one of its kind in existence. Unfortunately Kenneth Richardson is doomed from the moment he receives this rare and unusual machine. Subsequently his life will change forever as the typewriter is haunted and begins to gradually transform Kenneth into a maniacal and evil individual, who is capable of committing the most horrifying crimes imaginable. The typewriter's original and sole owner was Jeffrey Blackwood, who was a Sadist and Satan worshiper. He abducted women and incarcerated them, and confined them in chains, and shackles. The victims were brutally tortured until death. Eventually Jeffrey Blackwood was discovered and hanged by the town people. Consequently Kenneth Richardson has assumed the persona of Jeffrey Blackwood, and has become just as evil. He is determined through many heinous rituals of resurrecting Satan. Nothing or No one can stop this mad man from this fateful journey.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Fearmakers (2008)

Fearmakers (2008)
Director: Timo Rose
Writers: Timo Rose, Jason Stewart
Cast: Debbie Rochon, Timo Rose, Joe Davison
A terrified man runs down a street, followed by something hidden in the darkness. He slams the door to his home, believing his is safe - but doors can't keep this horror out. A ghoulish apparition suddenly appears, killing him in a most horrific way Sammy and Tom are paranormal investigators, trying to solve a case that has haunted Tom for years. Every year, he comes to Germany - and every year, he leaves empty-handed. This year, however, they run into Donnie, an old friend who informs them of an unsolved mystery that's right up their alley. Donnie's American friend Sarah has been having nightmares. Her sister was brutally murdered and voices from beyond have drawn her to Germany, where she believes the answers must lie. Teaming up with Sammy and Tom, the group tries to seek out answers to the murder - and the ghoulish deaths that are befalling citizens of this small German town. The people here know more than they let on and no one can be trusted. Friends become enemies - and the living become the dead. Who was responsible for the murder of Sarah's sister? What secrets do the town's mysterious strangers hide? What does the vicious phantom want? All will be revealed - by the Fearmakers.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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Red Spell Spells Red (1983)

Red Spell Spells Red (1983)
aka Gong gui zai
Director: Titus Ho
Writer: Amy S. M. Chan
Cast: Pun Lai-yin, Tong Chun-yip, Hussein Hassan, Stanley Tong
TV producer Stephen and programme host Stella go to Malaysia to shoot a special feature on a wicked dwarf. This dwarf was trapped in a stone coffin because he practised evil magic. Before he died, he cast a death spell on all those who enter his grave. As soon as he finishes shooting the footage, Stephen returns to Hong Kong. He also brings with him a gold ingot Buddha that originally belonged to the wicked dwarf. Stella and the crew stay behind and go to the Borneo Long House for more footage. The people there are very friendly and generous. That night the crew tries out the village custom of marriage. Then strange things happen. The crew die mysteriously. The sorcerer goes to see the village witch and discovers Stella has a scorpion spell cast on her. Stella accidentally kills the sorcerer. The witch finds out that Stella is actually his granddaughter. He decides to sacrifice himself to save her. Strange things also happen to Stephen after he returns to Hong Kong. He goes to Tibet and seeks help from a lama who gives him a blue robe for protection. The two go to Malaysia to try to cast the evil out of Stella. Stephen gives the robe to Stella and gets killed. Finally, the lama manages to stop the wicked dwarf.
[Synopsis by hkfa]
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)
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Manje (2007)

Manje (2007)
Director: Josh Muscatine
Writer: Jason Pitts
Cast: Chris Morgan, Erica Franco, Bobby Pataki
How far are you willing to go for love? Nine friends decide to vacation in one of the most rural locations in the country in an attempt to end the mourning period of one of their beloved. Krista is dealing with the recent death of her father and relies on Marc for comfort and protection. Unbeknownst to them a tenth member has joined the festivities, but with less joyous ideas in mind. When their friends start dying, Marc and Krista must unravel an old mystery to avoid becoming victims themselves.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)


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The Hive (2008)

The Hive (2008)
Director: Peter Manus
Writer: T.S. Cook
Cast: Elizabeth Healey, Mark Ramsey, Jessica Reavis
When ants, displaying never-before-seen behavior, seize an island, the controversial Thorax Team is called to stop the massive threat only to discover that the ants are controlled by something beyond this world.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)






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Boston Strangler: The Untold Story (2008)

Boston Strangler: The Untold Story (2008)
Director: Michael Feifer
Writer: Michael Feifer
Cast: David Faustino, Andrew Divoff, Kostas Sommer
Boston Strangler: The Untold Story is an intense true-crime thriller about Albert De Salvo, a wise cracking, small time criminal with an unrelenting sex drive, who ultimately falsely confesses to being the strangler that wreaked havoc in Boston during the early sixties.
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)





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Rosebery 7470 (2006)

Rosebery 7470 (2006)
Director: Stefan Popescu
Writer: Stefan Popescu
Cast: Alice Ansara, John Chatwin, Sara Cooper, Ann Ellison, Roger Adam Smith
ROSEBERY 7470 will plunge you into the disturbing depths of a mining town, where one young girl's nightmares, fantasies and realities collide. The ambitious debut feature from experimental filmmaker Stefan Popescu: be prepared for an injection of insanity and tragedy straight to the eyeball. ROSEBERY 7470 is disturbing. Alison, an autistic high-school dropout, is an incest survivor who has been warped by her mother's twisted views. She fantasizes about zombies, commits matricide and engages in an unwitting love triangle with her estranged sister as she slowly looses her grip on reality and plunges into a world of nightmares and fantasy.
IMDB Page
Sedate dark dreamlike drama following Alison a seemingly mute autistic girl (though its possible she's withdrawn and quiet due to years of abuse). The plots very ambiguous, and its never fully clear if Alison's imagining what's going on around her or its really going on. Starts with what seems like a messed attempt by her father to abort an incestuous pregnancy, later he kills himself and her sister disappears which turns her mother into an over possessive religious nutjob. Alison I think then poisons her mom, leaving her alone in the world and left open for a doomed relationship with a local waster Keith. Then ultimately her own suicide while masterbaiting with a double barrelled shotgun. To say its his debut and the film is clearly lacking real acting talent director Stefan Popescu does an OK job, its just the concept/plot is so all over the place that it leaves the viewer pondering on what the hells going on. Viewer beware its a very downbeat independent cinema feeling film and not suitable for anyone seeking an easy popcorn slice of entertainment.
(4½ out of 10)

The Legend of Bloody Mary (2008)

The Legend of Bloody Mary (2008)
Director: John Stecenko
Writer: Dominick R. Domingo, John Stecenko
Cast: Paul Preiss, Robert J. Locke, Caitlin Wachs, Nicole Aiken, Brittany Miller
Ryan has been plagued with nightmares since the night his sister Amy went missing 8 years earlier after playing the game "Bloody Mary." Amy had stumbled onto a website on the Internet (marked4mary.com) about a witch called Bloody Mary and a game to summon her evil spirit. Now a senior in college, Ryan is reaching a mental breaking point from the years of stress and guilt from his sisters disappearance. His girlfriend Rachel frustrated herself at Ryan's emotional distance and self pity, calls for help to a former professor of Ryan's, Father O'Neal. Father O'Neal is both a priest and a archaeologist who decides to help Ryan end his tormenting grief by using his detective skills and wit to figure out what exactly happened to Ryan's sister, and uncover the truth to the Legend of Bloody Mary.
[synopsis Anon @ IMDB]
IMDB Page
(Not Yet Rated)

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writer: Guillermo del Toro
Cast: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, James Dodd, John Alexander, Seth MacFarlane, Luke Goss, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt
The mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity in order to rule the Earth, so as Hellboy and his team returns they must save the world from the rebellious creatures. Now, as the creatures who inhabit the spiritual realm gear-up for an all out attack on the human plane, the only one capable of saving the Earth is a tough-talking hellspawn rejected by both worlds.
[Synopsis Anthony Pereyra @ IMDB]
IMDB Page
Finally got advanced screenings here in the UK after being out a good month or so stateside. Hellboy (Perlman), Abe (Jones) and Liz (Blair) are back protecting mankind and causing chaos for their boss Manny. Plot starts with a backflash of Hellboy as a boy, his father figure the professor Bruttenholm (Hurt) reads him a bed time story about a Golden army (very much like the Chinese terracotta army) who have been made to lay in wait till a time comes they will fight the human race. Cut to present and Prince Nuada (Goss) tries reclaiming a broken crown thats needed to make the golden army rise again. Hellboy and his merry band of misfits are joined by gas/spirit Johann Krauss (voiced by MacFarlane) to try stop the evil prince achieve his mission. Slightly lighter than the original film but still as humrous and unique feeling. Sadly even though this was opening night it was only an half full theatre, with the imax release of Dark Knight still having people queuing, I guess its hard having two great comic book based films go head to head, and I must be honest in admitting Dark Knight is the better of the two. Don't get me wrong Hellboy II still manages to be special, sure Ledger was stunning as the Joker but whereas I don't like Bale in the role of Batman here Perlman, Jones & Blair shine and make the characters of Hellboy,Abe & Liz their own. Guillermo del Toro does no wrong either building such a wicked visual treat for the viewer, with dozens of amazing creatures and spellbinding sets (best being the wonderful Troll market) . For me the down point is the over all story, as fun as it was it never really takes you anywhere unexpected or asks anything of the viewer. The addition of Krauss was great and Goss surprised me in his evil martial arts heavy role as the bad guy. All in all a worthy sequel and hope its not the last we see of Hellboy on the bigscreen (trouble is with director Toro set to do the lotrs prequel it could be years away) well worth seeing ohh I bet you can't leave without singing along with Barry Manilows 'Can't Smile Without You'.
(8 out of 10)