Here we go again, more 2008 reviews to get you ready for the tournament. Some of these are worth checking out!
NO MANS LAND: RISE OF REEKER (2008)
3.5/5
The background of the creature whose horrible smell is a harbinger of death comes into focus in this sequel set in the same "supernatural world" of its 2005 predecessor and starring Michael Muhney, Desmond Askew, and Valerie Cruz.
This sequel is a bit better than the original. Some campy moments and outlandish scenes highlight this fun horror fest. A bang-up intro kicks things off and veteran actor Robert Pine gets some ample screen time. Good, greasy fun in the vein of Trailer Park of Terror. Despite the dubious Reeker moniker, this one entertains for some good viewing.
ONEECHANBARA (2008)
2.5/5
In the year 20XX, a mysterious scientist discovers a way to bring back the dead . . . only it turns one town into a zombie-infested hellhole. But when the world falls into ruin, only one woman, her trusty katana, and sexy bikini can save them. And as she takes down one zombie after another, she also pursues the younger sister she wants to take to task for killing her father.
All of the typical J-horror tropes are present here. Bikini-clad girls with swords, copious amounts of type o claret, and nonsensical plot. This time the ingredients are just blah and this one chugs along without much effort. Hit or miss...but I say, miss.
OTIS: UNCUT (2008)
4/5
Daniel Stern, Ileana Douglas, Kevin Pollak, and Jere Burns headline director Tony Krantz's black comedy detailing the meltdown of the typical nuclear family as they attempt to rescue their little princess from a notorious serial killer. Otis Broth (Bostin Christopher) needs a date for the prom, and Riley Lawson (Ashley Johnson) is just the type of girl he's been searching for. Unfortunately for Riley, Otis has a rather sinister method of charming the fairer sex - it's got something to do with power tools and other assorted sharp objects. When the authorities fail to deliver in their promise to bring Riley home unharmed and the young girl miraculously manages to break free of Otis' dungeon-like cellar, the Lawson's decide that the family that slays together stays together and sets out to seek vengeance against the hulking serial killer on their own terms.
Super fun horror-comedy! At once brutal and funny and entertaining as hell. Daniel Stern is hilarious and watching tiny Kevin Pollack push around Otis the behemoth is truly priceless. Very rarely has a horror com went hand in hand with some torture gore and stayed funny. The tone is perfect as is the cast. Wait until you see the fate of Otis. Can you say sequel?
MAKE-OUT WITH VIOLENCE (2008)
1.5/5
"MAKE-OUT with VIOLENCE," the first feature-length film from the Deagol Brothers, is a genre-bending tale of a boy trying to fulfill his unrequited love for a girl who has risen from the dead. Set against the backdrop of a summer of cicadas and melty milkshakes, the film blends elements of upbeat teenage melodrama with the strange gravity of classic coming of age stories. It tells the story of twin brothers Patrick and Carol Darling, newly graduated from high school and struggling to come to terms with the mysterious disappearance of their friend, the bright and beautiful Wendy Hearst. When a drive through the countryside surrounding their posh suburban community leads to the discovery of Wendy's mysteriously animated corpse, the boys secretly transport the zombie Wendy to an empty house in hopes of somehow bringing her back to life. As the sweltering summer pushes on, they must maintain the appearance of normalcy for their friends and family as they search for ways to revive the Wendy they once knew, or, failing that, to satisfy their own quests for love amongst the living and the dead.
Also known as ZOMBIE LOVER, this bland, amateurish snoozefest offers nothing to even semi discerning viewers. Despite the title, this maybe is one of the most nonviolent horror films ever. Production and sound are cheap as they come and nothing really happens despite the cover art and alt title's hint at necrophilia. The acting is so bad that it almost makes the small-town characters more believable. Almost. Avoid this unless you need a good sleep aid.
THE SICKHOUSE (2008)
2.5/5
An archeologist excavating the site of a 17th Century plague hospital inadvertently unleashes the malevolent ghost of the notorious doctor who claimed countless lives 350 years prior. During the 17th Century, a plague was sweeping across the land and a twisted doctor was feeding on the misery of his patients. Centuries later, archeologist Anna has discovered the site of the hospital that the malevolent medico worked in. As the excavation gets underway, Anna becomes trapped in the darkened corridors with a group of trespassing teens. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the doctor is always on call, and eager to practice on some new patients.
The Sickhouse is a frustrating film that equally does some very good and very bad things. Let's start with the good. The story about an old orphanage in England where plague doctors practiced with malice and still seem to be lingering is quite intriguing. While the acting is nothing special, Gina Philips does a rather good job. The atmosphere is creepy and there is some truly good camera work. Leaving this formula alone we would have had a much better film but alas... Now the bad: The editing kills this film. Too many flashy scenes and flickering images destroy the horror and make the scene transitions hard to watch. Totally nonsensical moments don't help much either, like when pregnant Joolz is suddenly nude and in a bathtub in the abandoned building...why?!!! A true hodgepodge of atmosphere and bad editing makes not a good film. Worth watching only to kill 90 minutes if you got nothing else.
Thats it for this time, fiends...happy viewing!