MOVIE REVIEW: V/H/S/ BEYOND

Six bloodcurdling tapes unleash horror in a sci-fi-inspired hellscape, pushing the boundaries of fear and suspense.

Director: Jay Cheel, Jordan Downey, Virat Pal, Justin Martinez, Christian Long, Justin Long, Kate Siegel

Cast: Alanah Pearce, Braedyn Bruner, Dane DiLiegro, Mike Ferguson, Mitch Horowitz, Jolene Andersen, Thom Hallum, Phillip Andre Botello, Bobby Slaski, Skip Howland, Libby Letlow, Bix Krieger

Release Date: October 4, 2024

Genre: Horror

Unrated 

Runtime: 1h 54m

Review:

The seventh entry in the long running horror anthology is another splatter filled trek through assorted shorts which, much like previous entries offer some impressive and creative gems paired with more forgettable entries.  "Abduction/Adduction," written and directed by Jay Cheel, serves the film's framing narrative with a pseudo documentary about alien abduction and it proves to be one of the more confusing entries in the film.  It’s a baffling decision to use this short as the bridge in between segments since it doesn't really tie anything together and the payoff that it's building towards the entire film feels utterly underwhelming especially since it closes out the entire film.  "Stork," Directed by Jordan Downey, is the first proper full fledged sequence which is energetic and chaotic enough to make it easier to overlook some of the low rent FX and performances on display.  The first person perspective makes the whole thing feel like a mash up of Call of Duty and Resident Evil which is fun even if it doesn't stick the landing.  "Dream Girl," Directed by Virat Pal, presents a solid concept but the execution just fails its underlying message about fame with a mindless splatter fest.  "Live and Let Dive," Directed by Justin Martinez, is the kind of gem that pops up in each of these entries with some strong creativity on display.  Martinez gives his short a strong sense of immediacy that becomes more pronounced as things spin wildly out of control.  The skydiving set up and orange grove pursuit gives the film a solid jolt of gory fun and energy that the other entries never match.  "Fur Babies," written and directed by Christian Long and Justin Long feels like a retread of 2014's Tusk which Justin starred in.  Its got a low rent goofy energy even though it’s a rather confusing homage to a movie nobody asked for.  "Stowaway," Directed by Kate Siegel and written by Mike Flanagan is the most straightforward initially, before it takes a decidedly Cronenberg turn in its final act.  There seems to be more simmering underneath the surface but the short doesn't have enough time to truly explore the generational alien abduction idea.  V/H/S Beyond proves the franchise is still a solid showcase for micro horror shorts that allow for the kind of wild swings that wouldn't be possible in feature length films for better or worse.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: BARBARIAN

 

A young woman discovers the rental home she booked is already occupied by a stranger. Against her better judgment, she decides to spend the night but soon discovers there's a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest.

Director: Zach Cregger

Cast: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis

Release Date: September 9, 2022

Genre: Horror, Thriller 

Rated R for some strong violence and gore, disturbing material, language throughout and nudity.

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

Zach Cregger's Barbarian is a devilishly clever, brutal and darkly funny horror film that's sure to leave an impression by the time it ends.  Cregger smartly structures his film using the audience’s preconceived notions to great effect as he plays a game of misdirection, using mood and atmosphere to great effect especially in the film's opening act.  There is a point where the film takes an unexpected turn as it gleefully resets the board and audience’s expectations.  Even as the film moves into stranger and admittedly more ridiculous territory its cast is game for everything the script and director throws at them.  Georgina Campbell is a likable lead who uses common sense early on until the film needs her to lose some IQ points to move the plot along.  Bill Skarsgård plays his character with a solid mix of understated charm and menace which works well for the film.  Barbarian is the type of horror film that works on many levels due to its fastidious level of design and construction which makes it so effective.  

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: TUSK

An irreverent American podcaster interviews a Canadian adventurer whose wild tale of survival at sea masks sinister intentions in this twisted horror comedy from writer/director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Red State). Wallace (Justin Long) and Teddy (Haley Joel Osment) are the wisecracking co-hosts of "The Not-See Party", a popular podcast focused on bizarre viral videos and humorous interviews with the internet-famous. When Wallace ventures to Canada for an interview that falls through at the last minute, he stops at a local bar for a drink and finds a flyer posted by an old adventurer (Michael Parks) who seeks to share his stories with anyone who will listen.  Meanwhile, as Teddy and Wallace's girlfriend venture north to investigate his sudden disappearance, the old man subjects his terrified guest to a bizarre medical procedure that will transform more than just his perception of one of the sea's most majestic creatures. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Kevin Smith

Cast: Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, Michael Parks, Genesis Rodriguez

Release Date: Sep 19, 2014

Rated R for Sexual Content, Language, Gore and Some Disturbing Violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

Kevin Smith is a hit or miss director for me.  Even his earlier films like Clerks, Mall Rats or Chasing Amy never really connected with me, I found them amusing but never found out what made Smith a name director.  Dogma is probably my favorite film from Smith with his recent foray into horror, Red State, being his worse film.  So I was a bit ambivalent when I heard about his 2^nd horror film, Tusk, but I was rather intrigued by the insane concept.  The film is rather odd but surprisingly straightforward as well.  Some have compared it to the Human Centipede which I think is more than a bit off because it’s kind of its own creature, pun intended.  The best thing about Tusk is that it’s actually funny.  Smith skewers plenty of classic horror tropes, showcasing how ridiculous some of the situations are by taking it to the most extreme degree.  The cast is rather impressive, including a surprise appearance by a well known actor.  Justin Long is appropriately douchey so when karma comes his way, you don’t feel an ounce of sympathy.  Michael Parks is clearly having a great time in a very nutty role.  Genesis Rodriguez and Haley Joel Osment are noteworthy in their ability to play it straight while Smith shoots varying levels of insanity at them.  Tusk is definitely Kevin Smith’s weirdest film but it’s also one of his better efforts as well.

B+ 

Movie Reviews: DRAG ME TO HELL

Friday, June 05, 2009
Movie Reviews: DRAG ME TO HELL
IN THEATERS

DRAG ME TO HELL



Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, Professor Clay Dalton (Justin Long). Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks (David Paymer), and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home.

Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Dileep Rao

Director: Sam Raimi

Opened May 29, 2009

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min

Rated PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, sequences of horror violence and language

Genres: Supernatural Horror, Horror

Review:

If you’re the type that pays attention you’ll notice that Sam Raimi gives you a bit of a heads up as to what to expect with his newest film Drag Me To Hell. With the 80’s Universal logo opening the film, Raimi returns to what made him a name director, schlock fun loving comedy horror. If you’re not familiar with Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead series then here’s the first thing you need to know, don’t expect a serious horror film. If you do then you might be perplexed by the insanely manic and hilarious first confrontation of Alison Lohman’s Christine and Lorna Raver’s Ms. Ganush in a car. By that point, if it wasn’t clearly apparent, it should be clear that Raimi is interested in a few things here. He wants to gross you out, startle you and make you laugh at the same time. Raimi does all of those with great style throughout, so much so that you can almost feel hear Raimi chuckling in the background. Raimi keeps the plot, which he co-wrote, fairly simple and focuses on making the entire endeavor like a funhouse ride from some twisted carnival. He paces the film wonderfully, so much so that even horror movie veteran’s, who know a scare is coming, will be jumping when things continually pop out. The characters are all written as caricatures, purposely, and the cast is fairly effective as everyone’s game for the film’s tone. Front and center is Alison Lohman and she gives her character a believable sense of naivety and general terror when witch women or shadow’s begin beating her around mercilessly. She plays it straight for the most part but finally begins to give more tongue in cheek performance as the film heads towards its conclusion. Lorna Raver gives a fun gooey performance, as Ms. Ganush the gypsy who curse’s Christine, and harkens back to Raimi’s witch demons from Army of Darkness. Justin Long isn’t given much to do than look supporting then look concerned. The rest of the cast in mostly window dressing for a devilishly fun ride that manages to do so many things at once that you’ll never question Sam Raimi’s ability to make his audience multitask.

B+