Blu-ray Review: THE MONSTER (2016)

 
 
 
THE MONSTER
Written & Directed by Bryan Bertino
Distributed by Lionsgate

  I love a good creature feature, and it seems like that is a sub-genre of horror that we just don't see much of these days.  Nowadays, it's all zombies and Vampires, not that there is anything wrong with that.  I love those types of films, but I just really miss the days of a good creature feature!   Luckily those days are back the the release of THE MONSTER.  A fun creature film that is sure to keep you entertained from start to finish!  Here is the basic plot courtesy of the Lionsgate website:

  Acclaimed horror filmmaker Bryan Bertino (THE STRANGERS) directs this suspenseful and scary film, in which a divorced mother (Zoe Kazan) and her headstrong daughter must make an emergency late-night road trip to see the girl’s father. As they drive through deserted country roads on a stormy night, they suddenly have a startling collision that leaves them shaken but not seriously hurt. Their car, however, is dead, and as they try in vain to get help, they come to realize they are not alone on these desolate backroads — a terrifying evil is lurking in the surrounding woods, intent on never letting them leave.

  This was a very fun film, it was simple in plot, but kept you entertained the entire running time.  The film was very well done, with good acting and great creature effects...all which looked like practical effects.  That is always a plus in my book.   The film did a good job of keeping you in suspense with some very tense moments as the woman and daughter are trapped inside their car with the creature lurking about.   There were some genuine scares as well, and a good amount of blood/gore. 

  One thing I didn't like about the film was the lack of explanation about what this monster was.  Was it an alien, a deformed animal, or something completely different?   While some might like the mystery surrounding this creature...I would have liked to see some explanation.  Was this the first time the monster appeared and started killing?  Seems like if this had happened before, people would know to stay away from this area.  Regardless, I am just a curious person so I really want to know what this monster is and where it is from.  Oh well, maybe that's a story for an eventual sequel (or  prequel)!

  THE MONSTER is available now from Lionsgate Home Entertainment on both DVD and Blu-ray.  I highly recommend this one if you are a fan of creature features.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: BIG DRIVER (2014)

BIG DRIVER
Directed by Mikael Salomon
Distributed by Lionsgate

 Here is another film I had never heard of before it arrived on my doorstep for review.   The first thing I noticed was the description on the cover that said "From a story by Stephen King".  I was immediately intrigued and then was even more so after reading the plot synopsis.    Here is the basic plot of the film from the Lionsgate website:

  From best-selling author Stephen King comes BIG DRIVER, starring Maria Bello, Olympia Dukakis, Joan Jett, and Will Harris. Tess Thorne, a famous writer, faces a long drive home following a book signing. On a lonely New England road, her tire blows out, leaving her stranded. Relieved when another driver stops and offers assistance, Tess quickly discovers her savior is actually a serial killer who assaults her. Left for dead, Tess escapes, determined to find her attacker and seek revenge...

  I love rape-revenge films.  I always have, ever since I watched THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT and I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE years ago.  I love seeing the bad guys get what's coming to them, so when I read that this was a rape-revenge film, I was really looking forward to checking it out.  I am glad to say that this film did not disappoint!  In fact, I am really surprised I haven't heard more buzz about this film. 

  First off, the acting in the film was excellent.  There was  not a bad performance in the entire film, which is always a bonus.  Maria Bello does a remarkable job as the main character and was a perfect choice for the roll.  

  The film was shot very well and was paced extremely well.  Clocking in right at 90 minutes, the film was the perfect length that never had much of a dull or slow moment.  The film kept me entertained the entire running time.

  Another great thing about this film, is that not only was  it rape-revenge style horror film, it also had a very interesting and unique twist to it.   In the film, the main character in an author and throughout the film she is constantly seeing and conversing with characters from the books she has written.   This really come into play as she is in the midst of her revenge sequence.  This gave the film an almost supernatural/psychological feel to it.

  BIG DRIVER was a big hit in my book.   I would highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a fresh, new take on the rape-revenge sub-genre of horror films.  The film is available now on DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Blu-ray Review: NURSE 3D (2013)

NURSE 3D
Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski
Distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment

  I finally got around to watching NURSE 3D the other night.  I am so backed up on screeners, I am trying to review them in the order I got them, but someone should have told me how good this movie was so I could have moved it to the top of the pile!!    I had a feeling this movie was going to be good based on the trailer, but I had no clue it would be as good as it was.  Actually, using the word good does not do this film justice.  This film is great.  It's wonderful.  It's amazing!  Ok, enough of that.....here is the plot synopsis from the Lionsgate website:

Paz de la Huerta (HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire") turns up the body heat in this wickedly entertaining story of a fatal attraction. By day, nurse Abby Russell (de la Huerta) lovingly attends to the patients at All Saints Memorial Hospital; by night, Abby prowls nightclubs, luring unfaithful men into dangerous liaisons. After Danni, a young, sensitive nurse, joins the hospital staff, Abby pursues her friendship. But when the friendship turns to obsession, Danni spurns Abby, unleashing Abby’s fury and a rampage of terror.

  My one thought that kept going through my head the entire time I was watching this movie was "how has this movie not got more notoriety than it has"?  This film should be being talked about on all the horror websites and forums, but I  rarely see anything about it.  This film was one of the best films I have seen in a while.  I loved every second of it.

  First off, lets just get this out of the way right now.  I know most people will say I liked it just because lead actress Paz De La Huerta is naked in this movie...a lot.  She has the most amazing, close to perfect body you will probably ever see.  While that aspect of the film was enjoyable, she could have been covered from head to toe in layers and layers of clothing and I still would have loved this movie.  It was one of the most well written films I have seen in a while.  I haven't seen a good psychological thriller in ages, but this one is among the top.  The story is great with some awesome plot twists and turns.   There is also some pretty good gore for all your gore fans out there (like me!), although most of the gore is pretty crappy CGI.   Even so, that didn't take away from the enjoyment of this film because the gore plays a very minor part in the film as a whole.  The real substance of this film was the fatal attraction style relationship between Abby and Danni.   It's amazing the way Abby manipulates Danni and everyone else around here with her sweet, sexy demeanor. As sweet as she is on the outside, she is equally evil on the inside.  

  If you have not seen NURSE 3D, do yourself a favor and see it asap!  Everything about this movie was great to me, even the music which I admit I don't normally pay attention to in most films.  If this film has a CD soundtrack, I will be buying it for sure.   Now, if you are trying to decide whether to get the DVD which is in 2D, or the Blu-ray which is in 3D and 2D, I would go ahead and get the Blu-ray since it has both versions.  I will say though, that the 3D aspect of this film is pretty lame from what I could tell.  I have no clue why they even bothered to put this movie in 3D.  The film does not need a gimmick like that.  I watched this film in 2D and was amazed by it.  I only saw 2 or 3 scenes I could tell were made for the 3D aspect and they seemed cheesy and corny when watching it in 2D.   That being said, though, I still LOVED this movie and consider it a must have film for any horror fan.  I know this is one I will be watching again very soon!

NURSE 3D is available now on DVD and Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

*  BAD MEDICINE:  THE MAKING OF NURSE featurette
*  Director Commentary
*  Video Diaries
*  Trailers


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

DVD Review: GALLOWWALKERS (2012)

  
GALLOWWALKERS
Written & Directed by Andrew Goth
Distributed by Lionsgate Entertainment

  Last night I watched the film GALLOWWALKERS starring Wesley Snipes.
I am a big Wesley Snipes fan and hadn't seen him in anything in a long time, so I was super excited to see him back in a movie, and the fact it was a horror movie was even better!   Here is the basic plot of the film from the Lionsgate website:

  A mysterious gunman, Aman (Snipes), is the son of a nun who breaks her covenant with God to ensure his survival. This act brings a curse upon Aman - all those that die by his gun will return. Soon, he is hunted by a gang of his undead former victims, led by the vicious Kansa. Aman enlists Fabulos, a new young warrior, to fight by his side.

  I am usually not a big fan of westerns, but if a western contains zombies and tons of great gore, then count me in!   I thought GALLOWWALKERS was a lot of fun.   The plot was a little hard to follow at some points, and I didn't understand the inclusion of certain characters, but the film kept me entertained the entire time. 

  The movie is very well made with some beautiful scenery and some excellent cinematography.  The acting is very good overall, but I have to admit, Snipes character is pretty one dimensional and flat.   The other actors were all very good, but the real star of this film to me was the gore.  The film had much more gore than I expected, some of which was some of the most brutal I have seen in a film in a long time.  Watch the trailer and you will get to see a scene where Snipes' character rips the head off of a zombie, complete with spinal cord still attached!  It was basically like watching a movie version of the Mortal Kombat finishing move!  Very awesome on many levels!

  I would definitely recommend this film.  The film will be available on DVD, Digital Download, and Video on Demand on August 6th.  The DVD contains the following Special Features:

*  Includes Digital UltraViolet copy of the film
*  Behind the Scenes "making of" featurette With Cast/Crew Interviews
*  Trailer Gallery


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD