Jennfier's Body Review

Jennifer's Body, 2009
Reviewed by: Dan S.
Directed by: Karyn Kusama
Written by: Diablo Cody
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Megan Fox
Language: English

Utilizing bright warm colors, occasional surreal imagery, and smooth camera work, director Karyn Kusama creates an ironic dreamy atmosphere for this cruel high school horror/comedy. Screen writer Diablo Cody uses deadpan humor and macabre supernatural elements to craft an ultimately tragic exploration of the intriguing, complex relationship between two adolescent girls. While the story itself is straighforward, there are some interesting themes to be found. The effects are minimal but convincing, a subtle mix of make up and CGI for reptilian eye and mouth morphing. The violence is stylized and usually off screen, the camera often lingering on the gory aftermath instead. Nudity is teased but never shown, and the film's most carefully staged erotic moment is as suspenseful as it is alluring. Theodore Shaprio and Stephen Barton`s heavy metal guitar-driven score is sometimes distracting, however the memorable main motif is a cool mood-setting throwback to 80s slashers.

Much of the comedy comes from the dumb but amusing teen dialogue, but there is also a great deal of twisted, pitch-black gallows humor. The horror of the film generates more uneases than creeps, but surprisingly, it's the melodrama and superb acting that make this one so worth while. All of the main characters are sympathetic and the spacious but impactful death scenes carry a surprising amount of weight uncommon to the genre. As the conflicted and heart broken lead, Amanda Seyfried conveys much of her emotional arc with her huge expressive eyes. As the title character, Megan Fox's dark sex appeal and effortless charisma are naturally iconic, but it's her ability to hint at repressed vulnerability that elevates her above your average evil babe. Veteran character actor JK Simmons draws a chuckle with every modest screen time as a clueless but well meaning teacher.

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Tombs of the Blind Dead Review

Tombs of the Blind Dead, 1971
Reviewed By: Daniel S.
Directed By: Amando de Ossorio
Written by: Amando de Ossorio
Staring: Cesar Burner, Lone Fleming
Language: Spanish

Tombs of the Blind Dead" aka Night of the Blind Terror is a lengthy uneven mix of European exploitation and well executed gothic horror. Despite riffing on Hitchock's amatuer detective formula, the script boils down to attractive women and sleezy men doing stupid things and getting killed. The film's modest attempts at character development look and feel like a campy 70s Soap Opera. And while director Amando de Ossorio may let the slow parts drag and drag, the film's three major horror sequences are long and masterfully staged.

Anton Garcia Abril's unsettling score of monk chants sets the mood effectively while the authentic runied castle the movie revolves around is a geniuenly creepy location. Draped in heavy cloaks and always silent, the skeletal Templar Knights are truly frightening as they relentlessly stalk their victims through claustophobic ruins or chase them through the countryside on horseback in slow motion. Ossorio keeps the gore limited to modest blood letting but curiously doesn't shun away from erotic violence and rape. With such a strange combination of atmosphere and exploitation there is definetly something for everyone, however it may also leave viewers conflicted.

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I Sell the Dead Review

I Sell the Dead, 2008

Reviewed by: Dan S.

Directed by: Glenn McQuaid

Written by: Glenn McQuaid

Starring: Dominic Monaghan, Larry Fessenden

In the Victorian period horror/comedy I Sell the Dead a young imprisoned grave robber recalls the more unusual jobs he pulled with his mentor in the form of lineal inter-connected short stories. The low key but energetic first act is by far the most successful but the second half falters when the pace slows down and goofy comic book villains and plot elements are clumsily introduced and rushed into an abrupt sloppy conclusion. In his directing debut, Glenn McQuaid, does a serviceable job of pouring on the classic gothic horror atmosphere with blinding fog machines and the always distant baying of the hounds. He also shows restraint with the gore, saving the modest but bright blood fountains for the film’s final climax. However, he struggles to maintain energy and often exposes the limited budget, utilizing poor looking CGI effects, despite the monster make up, sets, and designs being very impressive.

The film boasts big genre names in Ron Perlman and Angus Scrim, but unfortunately neither has much to do other than provide presence in very small roles. Likable character actor Dominic Monaghan dominates in the fast talking leading role, always natural and reasonably charismatic despite a fairly one dimensional part. Producer Fessenden costars as the ugly half of the duo in a solid but ultimately one note character performance. While the capable acting is refreshing for a low budget movie, everyone seems limited by the fairly shallow banter and overall writing. Monaghan and Fessenden generate most of the film's humor through their physical comedy. However, they lack chemistry and just aren’t very believable mates.

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