Chosen Survivors, 1974 - ★★½

Chosen Survivors, 1974 - ★★½
REVIEWED

"It consumes its own weight in blood every day."

Alana Fitzgerald (Diana Muldaur)

Slightly off kilter post apocalyptic fantasy, following a group of chosen individuals who are lucky enough to land places in a state of the art futuristic underground base, ahead of an imminent nuclear attack on the USA. Only the group are plagued by vampire bats, and begin to question if they're not part of some progressively more elaborate experiment.

'Chosen Survivors' is an unusual mixture of familiar themes, that never rose to its early promise for me. It did manage to build a pretty claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere, while the hammy script made it feel more like a television pilot than feature. Especially the first 3rd, when we're introduced to the characters by way of narrated psycho babble. Acting is fine and visually its great, the internal base is full of 70s chic.

[PRFR]
The dubious random drunken sexual attack by the pent up lead character played by Jackie Cooper, and the even more dubious 'ohh go on then' response by the victim played by Barbara Babcock (the 70s really took misogyny to another level). Ohh and I must give a massive nod to the films lighting department, it lit tunnels and elevator shafts green, way before Alien/Aliens did.

Originally taken from Letterboxd

Come Out and Play, 2013 - ★★½

Come Out and Play, 2013 - ★★½

"I'm dripping in sweat... I'd kill for a shower."

Beth (Vinessa Shaw)

Visually appealing, though near scene for scene remake of Narciso Ibanez Serrador's classic horror movie 'Who Can Kill a Child?'. Francisco and Beth are a couple with the hopes of enjoying one last holiday together before their first child is born. They've planned to spend it in a renowned beauty spot on a remote Mexican island. Only the island seems deserted, with the exception of a bunch of sinister local children.

Actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach was very good as Francis, a little like a younger James Spader (an actor I'll be keeping my eyes out for) likewise Vinessa Shaw was OK, as his pregnant wife Beth. Its got beautiful tropical scenery & locations, which made a pleasant change from all the grim American woodlands and British council estates we've had an overkill of in horror movies recently. New director Makinov (who seems to like HUGE titles) plays it too safe and respects the source material a little too much for my liking, and it severally lacks the sinister appeal of the Spanish original. Until the final 10 minutes the kids just aren't creepy enough, they feel more like locals eager to get their faces on camera. I enjoy it, the 87 minutes flew by, but at the end of the day it was another needless remake.

Originally taken from Letterboxd