Movie Maniac added 1 item to Terror Blurbs! Part II (An Ever-Expanding List) list
Plot: A corporation harbors (and fears) the psychopathic creator of the war technology that makes them influential. Soon, the "rumors" of their ethically perverted approach to warfare soon run rampant within their own walls.
"Death Machine" is definitely ambitious with its bleak sci-fi setting, horror overtures, tongue-in-cheek dark humor, effects heavy approach, and bleak psuedo-cyberpunk vibes, all conjured up on a small 6 million dollar budget. Alas, it is also a tad overlong, rough around the edges, and maybe not as clever as it should be. Its major saving grace (and caveat) is that it basically plays like glorified fan fiction. To its credit, it wears its influences unabashedly on its sleeve. From Robocop to Universal Soldier to films the director worked on as an effects artist (most notably Aliens from which it liberally cribs). Ultimately, it proves to be the type of flick that movie nerds can partake of if only to feel as vicariously indulgent as the director did while making it. Its cornball self-awareness will most likely ingratiate those who aren't turned off by the inherent b-movie vibes at the outset and hold on for the ride. Though ambitious it never aims higher than its culty style and, for better or worse, that's exactly what it achieves. Cult film if there ever was one.
1 year, 9 months ago
Movie Maniac added 1 item to Terror Blurbs! Part II (An Ever-Expanding List) list
Plot: A skeptical journalist buys the Amityville house after busting paranormal charlatans using it for profit but the entity soon begins to make its influence known.
Though it shows the much needed restraint that part two didn't have, boasts better acting (mostly), shows some interest in continuity (however weak), and starts off well enough, the movie doesn't take long to hurtle listlessly toward the dumps. Based on events unrelated to the location, the results seem awkwardly patched together stylistically, tonally, etc. Though a change of approach would be welcomed, it seems they didn't bother too much with making the inspirational sources compliment each other. Worse, the whole affair is bogged down by a dull torpor punctuated by jarring moments where you're reminded there was a 3-D gimmick they had to acknowledge.
1 year, 9 months ago
Movie Maniac posted a list
Top 10 Favorite Music Scores/Soundtracks (10 music items)
1 year, 10 months ago
Movie Maniac added 1 item to Terror Blurbs! Part II (An Ever-Expanding List) list
Plot: Before the events of The Amityville Horror, the house's previous inhabitants undergo their own troubles.
This prequel immediately sacrifices character work, buildup, and atmosphere in exchange for spectacle and poorly executed cheap thrills. Built on a weak foundation that superficially resembles the dynamics of the real world DeFeo family (or a version of them, anyway), the flick is more concerned with going for the jugular to ever let any of it feel remotely engaging. Worse of all, its attempts to sow in the supernatural only end up feeling forced and result in an third act that insultingly apes "The Exorcist" to resoundingly eye-rolling results. Throw in bad acting, poor direction, gratuitous effects, and zero concern for decent continuity and you have yourself a wretched stinker.
1 year, 10 months ago
1 year, 10 months ago
Movie Maniac added 1 item to Terror Blurbs! Part II (An Ever-Expanding List) list
Plot: The Lutz family opts to move into a house with a recent history of murder to ease the financial stress, only to find out that there are worse things to worry about.
Critically slammed and oft maligned, "The Amityville Horror" certainly deserves a better reputation than it has. Though it never reaches the heights of contemporaries like "The Exorcist" or "The Omen", it does manage to build a certain palpable atmosphere and credible tension that hurls one into a bleak and hopeless culmination. A memorable score and solid acting elevate the material which might otherwise be taken less seriously. It might not do much for modern audiences anymore and some might balk at the "true events" that it purportedly presents but, "The Amityville Horror" works as a straightforward supernatural chiller.
1 year, 10 months ago