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Saturday is Horror Day #193 – Thir13en Ghosts

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Thir13en Ghosts

Arthur (Tony Shalhoub) has a wonderful life, with loving wife Jean (Kathryn Anderson), and their two kids, Kathy (Shannon Elizabeth) and Bobby (Alex Roberts). But Fate has other ideas, and an unexpected fire takes Jean’s life. Now Arthur’s own life is in chaos as he tries to provide for the kids and their nanny Maggie (Rah Digga). They are crammed together in a small apartment, have financial problems,  and nothing is going right… until Arthur receives a visit from a lawyer (Ben Moss) who brings him news of the demise of his Uncle Cyrus, a man he barely knows (F Murray Abraham), and tells him that Arthur has now inherited from him an actual house. Seems like divine providence, right?

Maybe not.

The lawyer offers to take them to the house, which lies a couple of hours away, in the middle of nowhere. The house turns out to be much more than they ever dreamed of. Plus it is very unique, being entirely made of glass. As Kathy says, “I hope the bathroom’s in the basement.”

On their arrival, they find an inspector for the electric company (Matthew Lillard) who insists on coming in with them and then asks for directions to the basement. What they don’t know is that he is not what he seems to be, his real name is Rafkin, and he was an associate of Uncle Cyrus. Not only that, he knows what Cyrus spent his life collecting, as he helped him do it. Namely, ghosts. And this house is simply an elaborate containment system for twelve ghosts. But more than that, they serve a very sinister purpose. Funny thing, the lawyer knows all this too. As if he is in on some secret. But what is contained can get out, you know? And a house might not necessarily be a good home.

This movie is a reboot of the original 1960 Thirteen Ghosts made by director William Castle. The first film was black and white and 3D, whereas the newer one is color. During the intervening years between the first and second film, computer graphics came a long way, resulting in more sophisticated special effects, which the movie utilizes well, the most astounding being the house itself.

I love Tony Shalhoub and he doesn’t disappoint as the almost bewildered widower who can’t seem to cope with the death of his beloved wife, but loves his children more than anything and will do whatever he can to protect them. F Murray Abraham as Uncle Cyrus is deliciously vile and evil, urbanity aside, and Matthew Lillard as the poor dupe with psychic abilities is wonderful. I’d say he shines in the role.

If you can, watch the special features that go with this film. My mind was blown when I saw the “reality” of the house, because I kept wondering where they built this house. Spoiler alert – they didn’t. All special effects and interior sets. I like that they chose to use their own story instead of simply remaking the original. Is it scary? Not really. Is it interesting?  I think it is. I’ve seen it multiple times, in fact. The ghosts themselves are quite unique, and each has a backstory you can watch in the special features. I found it very enjoyable and will no doubt watch it again some day. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #192 – Grace: The Possession, Sympathy for the Devil

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Grace: The Possession

Born to a mother who died afterwards, Grace (Alexia Fast) has been raised by her grandmother Helen (Lin Shaye). Eighteen years later, she is off to college and more than a little nervous, having little actual experience with people. Her new roommate is rather forward and outgoing, and introduces Grace to a few of her friends, but Grace finds herself quickly left behind. It doesn’t help when her grandmother calls to admonish her for not taking the Bible with her when she packed for college. Luckily, Grandma has corrected that oversight.

To be honest, I didn’t get any farther than this. The camerawork was driving me crazy, done from Grace’s POV, and Grace herself was a very uninteresting character. Not much to say other than I didn’t care for it and never watched far enough to see Lin Shaye, who was in the Conjuring series.  Oh well, can’t win them all. I recommend skipping this one.

Sympathy for the Devil

A man (Joel Kinnaman) is driving to the hospital to join his wife, who is in labor with their second child, the first having died in childbirth. He is naturally anxious about the pending birth and wants to be with his wife. But he is unexpectedly joined by a man with bright red hair (Nic Cage) who tells him to simply drive. And by the way, he has a gun….

I’ll be honest with you, there is only one reason to watch this film – if you are a fan of Nic Cage, as I am. His performance is high energy cray-cray at its finest. I was actually misled by the title, assuming Nic Cage was playing the devil in human form, but such was not the case. There are some tricks and twists to this film, which is mercifully short, but not of that compares to watching Nic at work. This all takes place in and around Las Vegas. I didn’t like the Driver, he was very weak and uninspiring, but I absolutely loved Nic. If you want to see this, see it for Nic. If you aren’t a fan, you might as well skip it.

I’m giving this film 3 Stars, purely because I love Nic Cage.

Sorry, not exactly winners this week. Better luck next time. Feel free to make suggestions for films you want to see reviewed.

Saturday is Horror Day #167 – The Elevator Game, The Toolbox Murders (1978)

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Elevator Game


A young girl disappears after she attempts to play an internet game known as The Elevator Game.  Her brother vows to find her, refusing to give up, even if it appears that the police and his own parents have done just done. A group of high school graduates have an internet series that explores and debunks various urban myths and legends. But the series isn’t doing well, and the sponsor is breathing down their neck. They bring on an intern, Ryan (Gino Anania) but he doesn’t exactly receive a warm welcome, especially from the host of the series, Kris (Alex (Carlos).

The sponsor demands they upload something the next day, so Kevin (Liam Stewart-Kanigan) asks for ideas. Ryan suggests the Elevator Game, since it doesn’t require a budget, and the building where it originally took place is nearby. Kris is skeptical, but there are no better ideas, so off they go.

 

There is a set of rules that must be followed, after which they will supposedly see the “Fifth Floor Woman”. But if the rules are not followed exactly, she will tear you apart. So they enter the building and begin their quest to find this woman, and see the supposed Red World she comes from. But nothing happens, and half their footage is lost through a technicality, so they decide to call it a night. But the night is actually just beginning…

 

I thought this wasn’t a half-bad horror movie, and I thought it was worth watching. Granted, there is no explanation of the Red World, and the Fifth Floor Woman, but perhaps a sequel is in the works that will be more forthcoming. That being said, it’s far from perfect, although the actors did a good job. My biggest complain is that the actor playing Kris was too over the top, and not in a good way. And judging by what I saw of their web series, I would never watch it. But then again, it’s not real. I think you’ll enjoy it, for the most part. I’ll give this film 3 Stars.

The Toolbox Murders (1978)


Terror abounds in an apartment complex when a masked man with a toolbox murders women with his tools.

To put it bluntly, this was one terrible movie, which is why I didn’t even finish it, and it’s only an hour and a half long. Cameron Mitchell plays the apartment manager, who is not happy about the murders and is baffled at how someone is securing entrance. He played brother Buck on the High Chaparral.  Tim Donnelly plays a detective on the case. You might remember him as Chet from Emergency. Pamelyn Ferdin plays a teenage who is abducted, and her brother, played by Wesley Eure is more worried about her than their mother, played by Aneta Corsaut, who played Andy’ girlfriend Helen in the Andy Griffith Show. Pamelyn was a child actress with a number of credits.

That being said, the acting was horrible., for the most part, and the writing atrocious. Directing was bad. I realize this was the 70s and films weren’t quite as graphic as they are not, but even so, this as badly done and had horrible timing. The beginning of the film is just a gorefest. From what I read, the rest was a snooze fest. I happen to like Cameron Mitchell, so I’m sorry he felt he had to do this. If you want to see him in something scary, watch his episode of Night Gallery called Green Fingers, along with Elsa Lanchester.

My advice it to avoid this film entirely.

Saturday is Horror Day #163 – Late Night With the Devil

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Late Night With the Devil

It’s the 70s, and Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) is a late night TV talk show host who is determined to compete against the Tonight Show for ratings. But he never quite succeeds, no matter how hard he tries. He has his own sidekick, Gus (Rhys Auteri), as well as his own band. It’s Halloween, and he has some special guests lined up for the occasion, including a psychic Christou (Fayssal Bazzi), a woman who wrote a book about conversations with the devil, June Ross-Mitchell (Laura Gordon) and the girl who is the subject of her book, Lilly (Ingrid Torelli) as well as skeptic Carmichael Haig (Ian Bliss). Christou seems fraudulent at first, fumbling with his “psychic” impressions, until he hits on one that resonates with the host. Mysterious afflicted suddenly, Christou is rushed to the hospital, to everyone’s horror.

Lilly comes off as very bratty and an attention-seeker. Haig has an ongoing offer to anyone who can prove

the existence of the supernatural. When the audience clamors to see June bring out the so-called entity inside of Lilly, the one she calls Mr. Wriggles, she reluctantly agrees. And then things get even darker…

When I saw the trailer for this film, I admit I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to see it, hoping I wasn’t seeing all the best scenes. I was not disappointed. This is rather unique in horror films, and very entertaining. It captures the feel of late night talk shows from the 70s, and David Dastmalchian does a great job as the main protagonist. Everyone does well, including the Ed McMahon-like sidekick, Gus, who tries to warn Jack not to meddle with things, that he is in over his head. It’s well-written and well-acted and directed, and leaves you in suspense as to what is going to happen.  I haven’t touched on everything in the film, because I don’t want to give spoilers. I highly recommend this film and I’ll give it 4.25 Stars

Saturday is Horror Day #3 – The Hamiltons, Bad Match, and Dog Soldiers (x-posted at Full Moon Dreaming)

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Reviewed by: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Hamiltons is a 2006 horror film written and directed by the Butcher Brothers, aka Mitchell Altieri and


Phil Flores. Following the unexpected death of their parents, four siblings are left to fend for themselves the best way they can. As a result, they constantly move from place to place, never staying too long in any one location. That’s for the best, for they can’t afford to let anyone discover their family secret.

David is the oldest. He works outside the home. After him are the twins, Wendell and Darlene, who give new meaning to the idea of twinship. Francis is the youngest, a teenager still in school. He hates the constant moving, and he hates what they are. He doesn’t want to be like them, not for anything.

 

Wendell meets two young women who are traveling across the country for fun. Which, of course, makes them perfect targets as no one will realize they’re missing for a long time. Wendell brings them home for a little taste of Hamilton hospitality. A terrified Dani can’t help but wonder what is hidden behind that locked door. The sounds that come from there are horrific…


The Hamiltons is a slightly different twist on a familiar theme. The sensitive Francis videos every chance he gets. One wonders what he intends to do with all this footage, if anything.  I didn’t guess the Hamiltons’ secret until close to the end. It’s not what I would call a great film, but I’ve seen worse. The acting is half-way decent, if not exactly stellar. The writing holds its own. All in all it’s an interesting hour and a half. I might give it 2 1/2 or 3 stars, somewhere in there. I have to admit I did focus on the scenes with the twins, which were a little intense.

The Hamiltons gives family dining a whole new meaning…

Just found out there’s a sequel, The Thompsons. Will Review that once I get it and watch it.

Bad Match (2017)

Harris (Jack Cutmore-Scott) is a real love-em-and-leave-em kind of guy. As he explains his philosophy


to his friend Chuck, the more he swipes right on the dating app (which I assume is meant to be Tinder), the greater likelihood he’ll end up with a date. Good ol’ Harris stands for one and done. Beyond a lot of sex, he has no use for his conquests, and invariably sneaks out in the middle of the night. What he really enjoys is playing online games and making fun of the teenager he plays with.

Enter Riley. Riley is one of Harris’ conquests. The difference is she wants more than he is willing to give. And she doesn’t seem to understand that he is rejecting her. It’s not that he deliberately tries to hurt the women he sleeps with, but Harris just doesn’t care enough to get involved.

 

When Riley won’t leave him alone, he doesn’t know what to do to get her out of his life, so resorts to cruelty. But when she mentions suicide, he reluctantly steps in. And finally she gets the picture.


Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

And now bad things are happening to Harris. This isn’t funny any more. How the hell is he going to get out of this mess?

This is basically a one-note film about a guy who is a player and the girl he hurt who wants him to feel her pain. Yeah, we get it. Harris is a bad boy and he shouldn’t use women like that. But how far should someone who’s been hurt be willing to go to make her point? The film is just under an hour and a half and builds up to an unexpected twist. Even so, the reveal isn’t enough to save this film from being less than stellar. I’ll give it 2.5 stars and call it a day.

My final review for today is for a 2002 film called Dog Soldiers

Private Cooper (Kevin McKidd, Rome) is a soldier trying to get on with an elite group of soldiers led


by Captain Ryan (Liam Cunningham, Davos of Game of Thrones). But when he refuses to shoot a dog on command, he finds himself assigned to Sergeant Wells (Sean Pertwood, Alfred Pennyworth of Gotham) instead. Wells and his men are assigned to participate in war games in a remote wooded area, far from anywhere. The soldiers swap stories, such as the one about the couple who were killed in this area, and the condition in which they were found. 

The men begin to hear unnerving noises in the middle of the night, something that sounds inhuman or otherworldly. When they come across the slaughtered remains of another troop, they realize something is not right here. In the midst of the dead, they find Captain Ryan, who is injured and not quite right

 

Something is in the woods, and it’s preying on the soldiers. Momentarily rescued by a young woman, they hole up in a nearby farmhouse. If they can stay alive until dawn, they might have a chance of coming out of this alive.


I’d heard about this film a long time ago, just didn’t get around to watching it until now. I liked it, even if I was spoiled for it long ago. The story is different, and well-written, the acting good. I especially like the main characters, Pertwee, McKidd, and Cunningham. Be aware that there is a lot of blood and gore, so this might not be for the faint-hearted. It’s a unique take on an old monster story, and it’s not without its twists and turns. (Of course, if you study the posters for this film, you can get an idea of what you’re in for).

I would give this a solid four stars. It’s well worth the watch.