Le Voyage Dans La Lune (1902) aka A Trip To The Moon

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès, Victor André, Bleuette Bernon
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Length: 14 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
What a marvelously creative and well made little sci-fi film, in fact it is one of the first of it's genre. Georges Méliès is such a gifted director that I expected greatness of this film, but still I was impressed at how well he did. It's about a group of Men who wish to travel to the moon. They work with tradesmen to build what looks like a bullet (but is actually their spaceship) that gets shot out of a large cannon. The land in the eye of the moon (love the face in the moon, every detail really was seen to) and get out only to encounter a strange world of giant mushrooms and aliens. It is just so iconic and the story is very well told and easy to follow, although it is merely 14 minutes long, it's very complete. Highly imaginative and definitely recommended, a really fun little film to watch that. It's just a shame that Georges Méliès apparently didn't receive money for this film because Edison copied it and reaped the rewards.

Availability:  On DVD

Vincent (1982)

5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Tim Burton
Written by: Tim Burton
Actors include: Vincent Price
Genre: Fantasy, Animation
Length: 6 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I loved this, it's very Tim Burton in style which is so creative and interesting, it works perfect for this short film. Vincent Price narrates this poem about a young boy named Vincent Malone who seems to think he is Vincent Price. It has so many little tie-ins with Price films and Edgar Allan Poe, it's absolutely perfect. The little monsters in the tale and even something as simple as a cat are so well illustrated, very similar to the style of the creatures in Burton's later film A Nightmare Before Christmas. I can't think of a single thing I would change about this, one of the best short films I've seen. It really put a smile to my face and kept it there for the entire six minutes, a ghoul's delight!

Availability:  On DVD as a bonus feature on the Nightmare Before Christmas DVD

Love Hurts (2008)

2.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Shariff Nasr
Written by: Terence
Actors include: Medi Broekman, Nasrdin Dchar, Déna Massque
Genre: Horror
Length: 6 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
A rather unknown short horror film (that I found on the internet) that is insanely mediocre. A boyfriend and girlfriend get in a fight and break-up. The woman goes to the bathroom where she sees a pool of blood and hears things under the stall. She goes to check and some demon thing looking like Bif Naked with white contacts attacks her. It's pretty silly really and not very effective at all, however points for the fact that it looks rather professionally made.

Availability:  I don't think it's available but you can watch it online

Kitchen Sink (1989)

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Alison Maclean
Written by: Alison Maclean
Actors include: Theresa Healey, Peter Tait, Annagretta Christian
Genre: Horror
Length: 14 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Very unique, stylish and surreal little short film from New Zealand. A woman sees a hair sticking out of her kitchen sink and she tugs on it, after much struggle she pulls out a mini monkey man thing. She throws it in water and it expands to human size and it sort of goes on from there. It was elegantly shot in black and white, and it really is one of those "what is going on here" sort of pictures which makes it quite interesting. If you come seeking answers...well you won't really find them but I do think it makes an interesting statement on obsession with changing people. Pretty neat little flick that made me think perhaps the folks who made Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus.

Availability:  Not on DVD I don't think

Spiral (2007)

2 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Adam Green, Joel Moore
Written by: Jeremy Danial Boreing, Joel Moore
Actors include: Joel Moore, Amber Tamblyn, Zachary Levi
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Ouch, I really thought this would have been a whole lot better than it is due to it's reputation. This was an Anchor Bay original release, and it does appear as though they had a reasonable budget for this. The plot is about a telemarketer named Mason (Joel Moore) who is reclusive, obnoxious and weird (not in a cute way, just in a handicapped sort of way). He stinks at his job and he has only one friend until he meets Amber (Amber Tamblyn). Mason happens to be a good painter which attracts Amber (who is seriously so annoying...think Six from Blossom only way less likeable). Amber is attracted to Mason's art, and she becomes his muse. After a long time of their awkward and unbelievable romance (and nothing else happening) we are given a tiny thriller plot. See Amber finds a whole bunch of sketch books with girl's names and each one has the last sketch missing and he won't show her his last sketch for her either. I won't ruin it but it's so beyond moronic, I truly feel like my time was completely wasted. Not to mention the terrible songs (the ones with words anyhow, the rest of the time it's jazz) and lack of reason and background information on Mason that would have made this a better film. Oh it's easy to understand and follow but it's also rather obvious and pointless. If you want an art related horror film I'd recommend Color Me Blood Red instead.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Phase IV (1974)

4 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: Adapt or die.
Directed by: Saul Bass
Written by: Mayo Simon, John Barry
Actors include: Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 84 minutes/93 for the lost version
Banned: Nope

Review:
I give this credit for managing to be a relatively intelligent film about ants overtaking the world...I mean that is not an easy task. All this and it's quite fascinatingly filmed with ant's eye view and some techniques and visuals that one would just not expect. The plot is very similar to Them!, but this one seems less campy and more serious. We follow two researchers in the middle of nowhere (who work out of a building that looks like Epcot center) who are studying the mutations in the ant population. We watch as they slowly become immune to the poisons we use and how they evolve to communicate and that whole idea is a little frightening. We also meet a family who mainly die during a poison spread, only the teenage daughter survives and she ends up stuck with the researchers. It's definitely a creative take on an idea that would normally be laughable and it is very entertaining and well made. It's maybe a bit slow at the start but the plot is so compelling that it's quite gripping as it goes on. One of the better "scare humanity" sci-fi pictures of the '70s, also this was remade in the '2000s but I didn't see that version. Oh and there are 6 minutes missing from the end that are supposedly psychedelic and involve what the ants have intended for us which I am dying to see. Currently these minutes are completely lost, I'm crossing my fingers that someone will find them and release them, I'm so curious.

Availability:  On DVD

Le Diable Noir (1905) aka The Black Imp

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Length: 4 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really enjoyed this one, it's hilarious and the effects are very impressive for the time. This time Georges Méliès treats us to a 4 minute comedy/horror romp involving a black imp. He flips about in a room and lies on the bed before flipping into the mirror (neat trick). Then a traveler shows up to rest in the room for the night, but as he tries to put away his belongings the Imp has a few menacing surprises waiting for him. I'm really amazed that he pulled this off so well and it was so darned fun to watch, highly recommended for anyone really. I wish all early cinema was this entertaining!

Availability:  On DVD

Le Chaudron Infernal (1903) aka The Infernal Boiling Pot

4 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre: Horror
Length: 2 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I actually thought this was a pretty visually interesting little film with a few tricks up it's sleeve. This one features green demons (the film is hand painted) who are throwing helpless people into a flaming cauldron. Then they summons their spirits to come out and fly about. The effects are pretty cool honestly, and the film has held up very well as far as preservation goes. I like that it is rather evil in nature, and it's very to the point and easy to understand. Definitely a likeable early horror picture from the very creative director Georges Méliès.

Availability:  On DVD

Le Château Hanté (1897) aka The Devil's Castle

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre:  Horror
Length: 1 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Wow having just watched Le manoir du diable [The Haunted Castle] (which came out a year earlier) I can say that they are nearly the same film, only this one is the lesser of the two. This version is 1/3 the length, and colorized which actually detracts from the visuals in the case I think, it's not awful but a bit blurred. Mephistopheles is back at it, zapping supernatural beings (one of which is a skeleton) and watching them transform. It's a bit confusing but I guess it's rather basic so I'll just go with what I think it is. It's kinda neat, but honestly I'd say watch the other one instead or at least first.

Availabilty:  On DVD

Le Manoir Du Diable (1896) aka The House Of The Devil

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès, Jeanne d'Alcy
Genre: Horror, Short, Comedy
Length: 3 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Sort of an odd little film that is maybe less preserved than expected, but you can still see what's happening (perhaps it was just the copy I watched). Mephistopheles flies in as a bat (he's a vampire), then he transforms into a human. He manages to conjure up various supernatural creatures that seem to bother or surprise him. It's a bit herky jerky, but I imagine these effects were quite ahead of their time. Georges Méliès has created an interesting scenario once again at least, though it seems a little more would have went a long way. It is considered to be an early horror film although comedy would also fit here I think. Either way it's worth a viewing for early cinema fans.

Availability:  On DVD

Un Nuit Terribles (1896) aka A Terrible Night

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Short
Length: 1 minute
Banned: Nope

Review:
Kind of a cute little one minute early film about a man who is trying to catch a good night's sleep. He snuffs out his candle and suddenly a giant spider comes out to annoy him. This is an insanely early film and honestly it's quite well preserved, I was impressed. The effects are also a tad better than I was expecting, although hardly amazing. This was my first exposure to Georges Méliès's work, but it certainly won't be my last. A fun little flick that should amuse early film fans with a touch of comedy.

Availability:  On DVD

C'est Arrivé Près De Chez Vous (1992) aka Man Bites Dog

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: A Killer Comedy
Directed by: Rémy Belvaux
Written by: André Bonzel, Rémy Belvaux
Actors include: Benoît Poelvoorde, Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert, Nelly Pappaert
Genre: Black Comedy, Crime, Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well this is an unusual French black comedy that was shot in black and white involving the humorous exploits and babblings of a killer. While I did find this occasionally hilarious, (especially his advice about weighing down bodies) I didn't think this was disturbing at all. Our killer offs just about anyone who crosses his path and it seems like without purpose or explanation most of the time. As his rampage goes on he begins to involve the camera crew (it's set up documentary style for some reason) and soon they learn they are in some dangerous territory. It is rather stylish and it's a different approach to serial killers than most I'll give it that. I guess I just expected a little more, and a bit more context though I found it cute they show him with his family. Also I think it goes a bit far with the babbling although occasionally interesting. Definitely a strange little film that most seem to enjoy, I liked it, I just didn't love it.

Availability:  On DVD

The Man With Two Brains (1983)

4.5 / 5
Tagline: Steve Martin Is A World Famous Surgeon. He Invented Screw Top, Zip Lock Brain Surgery. Trust Him.
Directed by: Carl Reiner
Written by: George Gipe, Steve Martin
Actors include: Steve Martin, Kathleen Turner, Dave Warner
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This has got to be the funniest Steve Martin movie I've come across yet, not only was he fantastic but I loved Kathleen Turner in this too! This film not only has a great cast but it has some of the funniest bits in any film ever! It's a wonderful mix of silly, absurd and universally funny. Steve Martin plays a surgeon (Dr. Hfuhruhurr, the name gag never gets old) who is the inventor of the first "twist off, zip lock" brain transplant. He accidentally hits Kathleen Turner with his car and she starts using him (because she gets off on making Men miserable) and of course the two wind up married. The only problem is, when visiting a scientist's lab he falls madly for a brain (Miss Uumellmahaye)! There is also a serial killer who murders on elevators prowling about (which is my personal favorite part) which is worry some too! It's a hilarious hybrid of many different things, but certainly early sci-fi films but I really think you don't have to be in "the know" to appreciate this gem.

Availability:  On DVD

Spaceballs (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  Revenge of the Schtick
Directed by:  Mel Brooks
Written by:  Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan
Actors include:  John Candy, Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis
Genre:  Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length:  96 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Now that I've seen Star Wars finally, it was time for Spaceballs as I find Mel Brooks' films usually very funny. This one wasn't one of his best but there were definitely quite a few laughs to be had, but usually silly ones and prop humour. John Candy's character "Barf" (Chewy) was probably my favorite, though Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet was hysterical on it's own. The idea here is that the evil planet Spaceball is running out of air, but Druidia (where our characters come from) has plenty of air. From there of course the evil dudes devise a plan to thieve their air, but will the good guys be able to stop them? Not all of the gags succeed but I still found this very easy to watch, and something that I'll probably even watch again. Really cute, and sci-fi fans should definitely find something to love in this one.

Availability:  On Blu-Ray & DVD

Le Femme Qui Se Poudre (1972) aka The Woman Who Powders Herself

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Patrick Bokanowski
Written by: Patrick Bokanowski
Actors include: Jean-Jacques Choul, Jacques Delbosc d'Auzon, Claus-Dieter Reents
Genre: Horror, Experimental
Length: 18 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well sort of hard to rate, perhaps I'm an idiot (which could very well be true) but I didn't get any sort of story for this. I'm very greatful that others have been able to provide the plot for this, for I sure couldn't find one. It's apparently about a witch who transforms people and tortures others. All I got was a bunch of blurry nightmarish imagery, sort of like an industrial music video. It's an interesting art project, and the combination of blurry shots and gray scale and masks and whatnot do make for some creepy visuals. The soundtrack is very appropriate too, it sounds like primitive industrial music which very much suits what is going on. Though my eyes were glued to the tv I wouldn't say I was afraid or anything, curious yes but that is about it. Let's face it, there aren't many films like this, definitely points for being innovative, many should see this, the style is quite something. Just at the end of it all I kinda felt like "what did I just watch"? If I were rating this as an art project I'd gladly award higher marks, but as a short film...not so rewarding I felt.

Availability:  Not on DVD

The Drums Of Jeopardy (1931)

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: George B. Seitz
Written by: Harold McGrath, Florence Ryerson
Actors include: Warner Oland, Lloyd Hughes, June Collyer
Genre: Horror, Drama
Length: 75 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is the sound remake of a film from 1923, I haven't seen the original but this is reasonably decent I suppose though it wasn't very exciting. The story is about a Man (worth noting that this character is called Boris Karlov in both versions of the film and the book which predates Boris Karloff's notoriety in the film Frankenstein) who discovers his daughter dying, he asks her who is responsible but she refuses to answer. Soon after he finds a necklace that has the "Drums Of Jeopardy" on them, it just happens to belong to the Petroff family. They have many members, and Karlov can't be sure whom, but he does know that the necklace charms are apparently cursed. When a drum is sent to someone, they turn up dead shortly after, so he begins sending off the drums one by one to family members to try and find and punish the guilty party. It's rather dry, and the deaths aren't very shocking, it's just a color by numbers revenge tale. I can't help but wonder if the original were more lively, this one does drag on even at a mere 75 minute run time. Oh well, I won't be watching this again but if you love early horror films then you might want to give this a try.

Availability:  On DVD

Innerspace (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  An Adventure of Incredible Proportions
Directed by:  Joe Dante
Written by:  Chip Proser
Actors include:  Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, Meg Ryan
Genre:  Science Fiction, Comedy, Action
Length:  120 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
A rather ballsy fighter pilot Lt. Tuck Penelton (Dennis Quaid) is chosen for a miniaturization experiment and shrunken down to be tiny. He's some thugs come in and steal the syringe that houses mini Tuck and his vessel and the machinery for the experiment. Then they inject mini Tuck into a dorky hypochondriac called Jack Putter (Martin Short). Then Tuck has one heck of a mission trying to convince Jack that he's real and that he needs to help. Jack being a grocery store clerk has no experience in stealing back the machinery so it's quite comical. Not as funny as some comedies but it's definitely strange, it's like sci-fi All of Me only a bit better I think.
Availability:  On DVD

I Drink Your Blood (1970) aka Blood Suckers

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: David E. Durston
Written by: David E. Durston
Actors include: Bhaskar Roy Chowdhury, Jadin Wong, Rhonda Fultz
Genre: Horror, Exploitation
Length: 83 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well this is rather ahead of it's time and were it not for the cheapness, and terrible acting it might have actually been kinda creepy. The plot is about a cult of LSD crazed hippies intent on hiding out in a small town for a bit to lie low from the Cops. They can't stay anonymous for long as they rape a local Girl and her Grandpa comes after them. Grandpa isn't powerful enough and they drug him with LSD, he stumbles home where his Grandson finds out what has happened. The Grandson just happened to find a rabid dog and shoot it earlier that day, so he collects some blood and puts it into meat pies for the hippies. From there we are left with a Night of the Living Dead style film with rabies instead of zombieism (apparently LSD + rabies = murderous rage). It's pretty bloody and yet some of the effects are pathetic of course, there is real animal violence I warn thee but certainly not the worst I've seen. It could have been amazing but as is it's pretty darned amusing and sleazy, fans of campy films should take note.

Availability:  On DVD

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

4 / 5
Tagline: Brace yourself amigos for a most triumphant video!
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Written by: Chris Matheson, Ed Solomon
Actors include: Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves, George Carlin
Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Another '80s movie involving a time machine? No way dude, yes way! Meet Bill S. Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan, the gnarliest doofuses of the '80s! Trouble comes their way when they are on the verge of failing out of school if they don't pass history class (which means military school for Ted). Since the two believe their future to be in a rock and roll band called the Wild Stallyns they simply can't be separated. They get some help from a visitor from the future named Rufus (I had a cat named Rufus when I was younger) who needs them to pass history because if that band isn't formed his future is doomed! Rufus has a time traveling phone booth so they can snatch historical figures from the past for their test so they can pass! It's stupid sure but in a good way, it's also very funny entertaining, especially for kids I'd think.

Availability:  On DVD

*Batteries Not Included (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline: Five ordinary people needed a miracle. Then one night, Faye Riley left the window open.
Directed by: Matthew Robbins
Written by: Mick Garris, Brad Bird
Actors include: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Frank McRae
Genre: Sci-Fi, Family, Comedy
Length: 106 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a charmingly adorable little family film that everyone should be able to appreciate. A group of folks in an apartment complex are being forced to move so that the area can be demolished, but of course they love their homes and don't want to move. The evil land developers then hire a gang to try to force the people to leave in a less than friendly manner. It seems like all hope is lost until an elderly couple leave their window open one night. See little mechanical aliens (that is pretty cute) have arrived and are ready and willing to help the tenants using their special powers. The cast are really great in this, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn are hard to resist and the aliens are great too. I haven't seen this in many years but it still brings warm fuzzies to think about watching it, definitely recommended for most.

Availability:  On DVD

A Serbian Film (2010) aka Srpski Film

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Srdjan Spasojevic
Written by: Aleksandar Radivojevic, Srdjan Spasojevic
Actors include: Srdjan Todorovic, Sergej Trifunovic, Jelena Gavrilovic
Genre: Horror, Drama
Length: 103 minutes
Banned: Australia

Review:
Well, this is the sort of film that seriously succeeds in being a disturbing horror film in nearly every sense of the word. It's got something to offend everyone, and it made me feel very uneasy and uncomfortable. It's difficult to watch because of subject matter, but since it's so well made and well acted it's almost more shocking. It's a film about a retired Porn actor called Milos who was known in the business for being able to get himself hard immediately. He needs money for his Wife and Son so he somewhat reluctantly signs on to do a mysterious art film. The thing is, they won't tell him what he's filming, he is just to show up and not ask questions. This will tackle just about any taboo you can think of, and it's stunningly horrifying. I did see "what happened" coming, it wasn't too surprising that way, but it was still mesmerizing none the less. I can't really "recommend" this, but if you can handle nearly anything in film and want to be disturbed you may want to see this one, I think it takes the cake.

Availability:  On Blu-Ray & DVD

Martyrs (2008)

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: They did not finish to be alive...
Directed by: Pascal Laugier
Written by: Pascal Laugier
Actors include: Morjana Alaoui, Mylène Jampanoï, Catherine Bégin
Genre: Horror, Drama
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Yikes, well this is a different breed of horror film, and an effective one. We meet a young girl named Lucie who we see escaping some sort of torture area, she is bleeding, malnourished and had clearly been suffering. We learn that Lucie has a best friend Anna who has also had a rough go of things, the two are pretty inseperable. Flash forward a few years and we see Lucie go out for revenge against the family that kidnapped her and tortured her. I don't want to give more away but it really takes some demented twists and turns here. The story is graphically bloody, it's very serious in tone and it's very bleak and hard to watch in places. I can see why some might be divided on this, but I thought it was really well made, and actresses Morjana Alaoui and Mylène Jampanoï did a fantastic job. The first part is far more intense then the last, but the whole thing I thought was rather gripping. In a way it's treated like a mystery as parts of the tale don't unfold until later and that is what was so compelling. Now I think it would have been beneficial to let us in a little more on the bigger picture of what was going on but at the same time it wrapped up well enough. Definitely one of the best horror films from the last ten years that I've come across, recommended fo rthose looking for something disturbingly different.

Availability:  On DVD

Something Evil (1972)

2.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Written by: Robert Clouse
Actors include: Sandy Dennis, Darren McGaven, Ralph Bellamy
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 73 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Considering how famous Steven Spielberg is this little made-for-tv horror film was rather a curiosity. The big problem is that it's duller than dull, even at 73 minutes it feels like a two hour epic. The plot is about a couple (Sandy Dennis and Darren McGavin) with two children from New York who stumble upon this house in the country a few hours away that happens to be for sale. "Something Evil" appears to be possessing the house, as Marjorie (Dennis) keeps hearing a baby crying and she keeps questioning her sanity. Soon she believes a spirit is trying to possess her, but what could be going on and who is trying to possess her? Really the last bit of the film is rewarding and it made a good impression but it was too little too late. It's too bad this wasn't more interesting because it does have potential and the actors do a good job at least.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Corpse Mania (1981) aka Si Yiu

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Chih-Hung Kuei
Written by: Chih-Hung Kuei, On Szeto
Actors include: Ni Tien, Yung Wang, Tsu Ling Yu
Genre: Horror, Giallo, Crime
Length: 82 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well the "corpse" part is accurate enough, not so sure about the "mania" however hehe. This is a Shaw Brothers film that is rather unusual in that the kung fu role is very minor, that and it resembles a giallo in some ways which is odd. A man seems obsessed with sick women, you see them go home with him...then their "sexually abused corpses" surface (their words, not mine). Our killer is disguised (much like in a giallo) and although some things we know right away, others are kept from us until later. It's a bit confusing and strange but it's relatively entertaining for the most part. Also funny is the fact that the dead girls appear covered in bait....not maggots....bait. Some of the killings were a bit surprising and they did put forth some effort to make it gruesome, also they don't spare us from the corpse sex. It's not the best of it's kind, parts somehow manage to be a bit dull but for the most part it's an unusual and decent film.

Availability:  On DVD

X-Men (2000)

3 / 5
Tagline: The future is here.
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Written by: Bryan Singer, Tom DeSanto
Actors include: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I have never read one of the comic books (I'm guessing this was based on one) nor did I know anything about this going into it. An ex-boyfriend actually put this on (why he couldn't have waited until I wasn't visiting to watch it is beyond me) and well it could have been worse I suppose. The idea is that these mutants (with useful battle abilities) are outcast by society so they have a special school thing they go to. They then are faced with a battle between mutant terrorists (I guess not all mutants get along). The furry wolfman rip-off guy is the lead mutant (how original), and really the costumes and their special powers were a little too ridiculous for me to enjoy. I think I disliked this for the same reason I dislike most Troma films, I'm not a 12 year old boy. It had a beginning, an end, special effects, and action so if you look for those things in a film then this might be entertaining for you. Maybe you had to read the comics or something to really get into this, who knows? If you like superhero stuff than you will probably like this, I knew going into it I probably wasn't going to enjoy and gosh darn it I was right.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray