Tag Archives: Tobin Bell

Saturday is Horror Day #159 – Saw X

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Saw X

John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) cancer isn’t getting any better. He attends a support group made up of fellow cancer patients. A few months later, he runs into one of them, Henry (Michael Beach) who tells him a miraculous story – he is in remission. And he owes it all to a doctor he found on the internet, Cecilia Pederson (Synnove Macody Lund) whose father is a world-renowned surgeon. John begins to see hope where none existed before and contacts Cecilia. Shortly after, he is on his way to Mexico City.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, and this is no exception, as John discovers to his horror. But these people made a serious mistake when they decided to scam John Kramer.

The latest installment in the Saw franchise takes place some years before, when John is still alive. I was glad to see him actually back in the picture. Once I realized he’d been duped, I knew he would get revenge as only John can. And justice.

The devices are just as complicated and gory as ever. So many people were involved in this plot, but John is fair. If someone passes his test, they go free, as we’ve witnessed in the past. He gets Amanda  (Shawnee Smith) to help him, but I confess to being distracted by her strange haircut. We get to see and hear Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) but only briefly.

This was everything I’d hoped for and more. I was really impressed by the writing and character development. The next Saw is coming out in September and takes place right after this one. I’m looking forward to seeing that. I’ll give this film 4.5 Stars

Saturday is Horror Day #155 – Red Eye, Saw VIII: Jigsaw

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Red Eye

Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) is flying back home after attending her grandmother’s funeral. A flight delay is frustrating because she needs to get back to her job as manager of a high end hotel where a VIP is expected shortly. Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy) has also had his flight delayed. When they end up next to one another in line, he invites her for a drink while they wait. Hesitant at first, she accepts, and she finds him charming company. But then, when she finally boards her flight, she finds he is her seatmate, and suddenly things seem very unreal. Especially when he confesses that he was there because of her – they’ve targeted her father Joe (Brian Cox) and unless she does exactly what they tell her to do, her father will die.

Red Eye is a Wes Craven movie. You know, the Nightmare on Elm Street guy. I think he’s stepped up to a

new level with this film. Cillian is both charming and menacing, which he does well, while Rachel McAdams character refuses to be intimidated by him and is constantly trying to thwart his plans and save her father. What she is expected to do involves the VIP guest that is arriving. She finds herself between a rock and a hard place. Great suspense, well written and acted. It kept me in suspense, with definite unexpected moments. I wasn’t sure how it was going to end.

 

I am a huge fan of Cillian Murphy, he is a very versatile actor who can take any role and make it his. This was an enjoyable watch that I definitely recommend. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

Saw VIII: Jigsaw

John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, has been dead for ten years – or is he? The body count is rising, each death more gruesome than the lasat. And all the evidence seems to point to John Kramer being the culprit. How can that be?  Five people awaken inside a barn with buckets on their heads and chains around their necks. As they are pulled toward a wall of buzzsaws, a voice tells them they must each sacrifice blood to survive. And so the game begins anew…

The theme for the eighth film in the Saw series seems to be confession and penitence. Detective

Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) and his partner Detective Hunt (Cle Bennett) are tasked with investigating the murders. Halloran becomes suspicious of two pathologists, Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore) and Eleanor Bonneville (Hannah Emily Anderson), especially after Eleanor confesses herself to be a Saw fangirl. Meanwhile, the five in the barn have dwindled in number as they continue to face test after test.

I enjoyed seeing Matt Passmore, who was in The Glades. And it’s always good to see John Kramer. Despite seeing some negative reviews, I liked it. In fact, I saw it at the theater once and streaming once. I would watch it again. It has all the elements of a good Saw story but with fresh elements and new progragonists. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #151 – Saw VI, Saw: The Final Chapter

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

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Saw VI

Agent Strahm learned the truth about Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), but the knowledge didn’t help him as he let his own arrogance get in the way and he died, while Hoffman lived to see another day.  FBI agent Erickson (Mark Rolston) is getting closer to the truth himself. Will he survive the knowledge, once he finds out? Meanwhile, the game continues, beginning with two co-workers at an insurance company who must give up the proverbial pound of flesh in order to save themselves… or should I say, save one of them, for only one can win this game.

The sixth installment in the Saw series continues where the fifth left off. Hoffman has been acting as Jigsaw’s accomplice, but it seems as though the FBI might be closing in, having realized the voice on the tape isn’t John Kramer’s. What if their analysis is successful? Will they unmask Hoffman? Why does Agent Erickson focus so heavily on Kramer’s ex, Jill (Betsy Russell)? She was an innocent pawn in all of this… wasn’t she?

In this installment, the game centers around employees of an insurance company who have long defrauded their customers, including John Kramer. Despite being dead, he had everything planned, and he intends to show these people the consequences of their actions. It’s easy to make a decision about someone’s life when you don’t know that person and never will. But what if it’s someone you do know, whether friend, co-worker… or loved one?

I find the character of Mark Hoffman to be very intriguing. I think he is a better assistant than Amanda. The series continues to be very interesting. I like the acting, the plot, the direction. It’s still very enjoyable, and I went ahead and watched the next one, which I am going to review next. I will give this film 4 Stars.

Saw: The Final Chapter

Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell), John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) ex, seeks protective custody, but will she give up Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) in order to get what she wants? Detective Matt Gibson (Chad Donella) is counting on it. Meanwhile, Jigsaw survivor/self-help guru Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) is making a living by assisting other survivors to cope with the aftermath of their torturous time with Jigsaw. But his own dark secrets threaten to overwhelm him and he is forced to fight to protect his family and friends. Will he succeed?

As in the other installments of this series, the emphasis is on how actions have consequences, the same

thing John Kramer has said from the beginning. The people he targets all have something to atone for, and they all have choices to make. Hoffman is carrying on Jigsaw’s legacy, despite being hindered by Jill.

I know others think the series went downhill after the first film, but I disagree. And despite being labeled the final chapter, spoiler alert – it isn’t. I know of three more, and another one is coming out this year. So it’s far from dead. The games are good good, as well as gory. I am especially looking forward to Saw X, since it takes place earlier in the series and we’ll see more of John Kramer. Bobby Dagen deserves what he gets, trust me. I did like this one too and I’ll give it 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #149 – Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out, Saw V

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out

Ricky Caldwell (Bill Moseley) lies in a coma and has for six years, after being shot in order to end his deadly rampage. Doctors don’t know when or if Ricky will ever awaken. Laura (Samantha Scully) is a blind young woman who has a talent that some might call ESP – despite her lack of sight, she sees things in her dreams/mind that she can’t explain. Dr. Newbury (Richard Beymer) is trying to help her understand and use these talents, but she is skeptical of the doctor’s studies and wishes to end her participation. During a particularly violent dream, her screams seem to have awakened Ricky. Let the blood bath begin anew….

This is the sequel to Silent Night Deadly Night 2, despite the fact that the part of Ricky was recast. After seeing this movie, I have to believe Eric Freeman read the script and said no. This film makes the second one look like a masterpiece. Where do I even start?

First off, if Ricky was shot in the chest in the second film, why is he wearing that weird protective device over his exposed brain? (Btw, I guess we just need to forget there was another Ricky, no explanation is given for his changed looks). This Ricky does not how “Revenge!” or “Garbage Day!” with great glee, in fact he says very little and shows no emotion whatsoever. But make no mistake, he is still a killer. And now his focus is on Laura. Why? Couldn’t tell you. Terrible plot, horrible script, terrible direction, sets, and cinematography, and very very bad exacting. Even Richard Beymer and Robert Culp (yep, that guy from I Spy) couldn’t save this. Also, there is Eric DaRe, whom I remember from Twin Peaks (oddly, his character was in a similar type situation as Ricky, almost Frankenstein-like). I didn’t recognize DaRe at first, thinking his character was cute.  Don’t ask me why, I requested the next one, where we have another actor playing Ricky. I’ll keep you in suspense until I watch and review it. I am giving this film .5 Stars. I only hope #4 is better, but I am not holding my breath on that.

Saw V

Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) emerges as a hero in the wake of Jigsaw’s death, but Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) is suspicious, believing that he was meant to perish with the others and unexpectedly he lived. He begins to search Hoffman’s past, as well as the previous Jigsaw murders. Meanwhile, five people awaken in a perilous situation, and a new game is afoot

One person Strahm seems to be focused on for information is John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) ex, Jill

(Betsy  Russell). But she knows nothing, as her ex never made her privy to his plans, so she can’t help him. Meanwhile, the five people are trying to navigate this new situation they find themselves in. Jigsaw, as usual, has left them clues, but will they do what it takes to emerge alive?

I liked watching the evolution of Mark Hoffman as John’s assistant, as well as the struggle of the five people. They have the clues at their fingertips, if they’ll only pay attention. As with any Saw film, there is gore and there is peril. In the end, Strahm proves to be his own worst enemy. I also appreciate that Jigsaw is still very much a part of the film series, despite John’s death. There are clearly twists and turns yet to be uncovered, and I look forward to seeing them. I’ll give this film 4 St

Saturday is Horror Day #148 – We Need to Talk About Kevin, Saw IV

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Every expectant parents dreams about the baby they are having, of their hopes and dreams for the new life they are bringing into the world. But sometimes reality is a far cry from what they envisioned.  Such is the case with Eva (Tilda Swinton) and Franklin (John C. Reilly). From the beginning, Kevin (Jasper Newell) was different. At first nonverbal, he was strong-willed and defiant. If he didn’t want to do something, he didn’t do it, and no one and nothing could make him do it. Even after he began to speak, he was rude and condescending. He refused to be toilet trained and was wearing diapers when he was six or seven years of age, deliberately soiling himself to force his mother to clean him up.

Eva tries, but he pushes her away at every turn. And when Franklin is around, he doesn’t exhibit the same

psychotic behavior. Eva is at her wit’s end. Getting pregnant again was not on her agenda, but it happened, and they welcomed a daughter, Celia (Ashley Gerasimovich). Celia is a sweet child, who adores her older brother, despite the horrible way he treats her. An unexplained accident leaves the poor girl with only one eye. Eva knows who is to blame, but nothing is done. She tries to talk to her husband but he doesn’t listen because he doesn’t want to hear or see what she does. And then the unthinkable happens…

This is a very chilling story, one which will especially resonate with parents. Love isn’t always the answer, and not all children are sweet and innocent. Some are just born bad. The story goes back and forth between the present and the past, and what leads up to the present. You can figure out something is wrong by the things you don’t see in the present. What do you do when your child is a monster? Is there a point at which unconditional love has to take a back seat to reality? Tilda Swinton is great as Kevin’s mother, and Jasper Newell shines as Kevin. It’s a hard film to watch, yet very compelling at the same time. I give this film 4 Stars.

Saw IV

John Kramer (Tobin Bell) may be dead, but the games are far from over. John’s legacy continues through his newest assistant. Who is that? That would be telling, now wouldn’t it. Now let the games continue!

The Saw franchise is far from over, and new puzzles await. Detective Rigg (Lyriq Bent) is put to the

test, as are various other law enforcement officials, such as Agent Straham (Scott Patterson) and Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) and Agent Perez (Athena Karkansis, who you might remember from Manifest).  As usual, John’s games target those who deserve punishment for something, but he gives them a chance to save themselves, but at a price.

This installment is not lacking in gory games or twists and turns that will leave you wondering what the heck is going on, and who is playing a game of their own. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #146 – Saw III

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Saw III

Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) awakens to find himself in quite the predicament – chained inside of a bathroom. But not just any bathroom, one that was obviously the scene of a horrific crime. Blood smeared everywhere, dead men grotesquely displayed. And the only tool he can reach is a hacksaw. He furiously saws at his chains, but to no avail. And then he spies what was clearly someone else’s solution to the dilemma. The question is, can he do the same thing?

Lynn (Bahar Soomekh) is a doctor whose marriage is clearly suffering, but she doesn’t seem to have the stamina or the will to deal with the estrangement between herself and her husband. She leaves for her night shift at the hospital, her husband’s last words ringing in her ears – “I want a divorce”. At work, she can’t seem to focus on what she should and is told to go home. But Lynn is unexpectedly kidnapped by a strange figure and wakens to find herself in her own precarious predicament. She has a deadly contraption fastened about her neck and the rules of this strange game are explained to her – she must keep John Kramer alive or Lynn will die!

John Kramer (Tobin Bell) has a new protegee, former junkie Amanda (Shawnee Smith) who is assisting him in his games. She has kidnapped Lynn to keep John alive. She has also kidnapped a man named Jeff (Angus Macfadyen) who is grieving over the loss of his son, killed in an accident. He is set to undergo tests of his own, under Amanda’s watchful eye, and just maybe he will be able to take his revenge on the man who killed his son. Let the games begin.

The third installment in the Saw franchise may just be the best one yet. Beneath the surface story of bloody violent games, Saw III is about revenge vs forgiveness. There is a lot going on here beneath the surface, as well as the usual scenes of violence and gore. Makes you think about what you would do if you found yourself in a similar situation. I really enjoyed this film. I’ll give it 4.25 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #131 – Saw II

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Saw II

Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) has a troubled relationship with his son Daniel (Erik Knudsen). The rebellious boy is acting up and getting into trouble. Eric Matthews gets mad at him and yells at him to leave if he wants to so the boy does. Eric finds himself investigating a murder with his partner Kerry (Dina Meyer), but there’s a twist – the killer has left a personal message for the detective. What is going on?

The victim was someone Matthews knew, although facial recognition was impossible due to the way the

man died. But he recognized his unique tattoos and knows he was someone he once put away. Matthews reaches out to his son, to no avail, but soon finds himself immersed in the case as it becomes obvious the killer is none other than Jigsaw. Acting on certain evidence, they locate John Kramer (Tobin Bell), and it seems like a slam dunk…but, of course, it isn’t. The detectives discover a bank of monitors which reveal several people on camera who are trapped together somewhere…including Matthews’ son Daniel. Kramer explains about the nerve gas that is slowly killing them if they don’t get out within a certain period of time. But he says if the detective is patient and waits, he will get what he wants. Of course, Matthews chooses otherwise. Let the games begin…

The second installment of the Saw series is every bit as bloody as the first, maybe more so. And there are definite twists you won’t see coming, including a previous location. The first death in this film was memorable to me, as I looked at what needed to be done and realized I would just have to die too, I couldn’t do what it would take to get free.

I absolutely love this series, but I know it isn’t for everyone. The scene with the pit filled with needles made me cringe. I don’t think I would have the nerve to go into that. Looking forward to rewatching the rest and also the tenth Saw that is coming out at the end of September. I give this film 4.5 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #128 – Saw, Tales of Terror

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Saw

Two men, Lawrence (Cary Elwes) and Adam( Leigh Wannell) awaken on opposite sides of a disgusting filthy bathroom with no recollection of how they got they or any idea of why they are there. To make matters worse, each man is chained and unable to escape. But if they want to survive, they are going to have to rely on one another…and time is running out.

Suddenly Lawrence thinks he knows what is going on, as he was recently a suspect in a serial killer investigation being conducted by two policemen, Detective Tapp (Danny Glover) and Detective Sing (Ken Leung). This killer has left a trail of grisly crime scenes and victims who died horrible deaths in gruesome traps. The only known survivor of his blood lust – at least so far – is Amanda (Shawnee Smith), and the tale she tells is a horrifying one.

The clock is ticking and Lawrence’s family is at risk. He must do something before they’ll die…even if it includes killing Adam.

This is the film that started it all – the first Saw movie, directed by James Wan and written by him and Leigh Whannell. This film is not for the faint-hearted, although it doesn’t show the same degree of callousness as Terrifier. Much like its namesake, Jigsaw, the story is a puzzle with many layers, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I first saw it years ago, before I ever saw Lost, so I wasn’t familiar with either Michael Emerson (who plays an orderly) or Ken Leung, but I recognize them now.

I intend to rewatch the entire series, probably not in time for the new one next month. Even so, it will be fun. This one is almost 20 years old and it holds up well, setting the tone for what is to come. Except I already know the traps are going to get worse…far worse. Great beginning to one of my favorite horror series. I give this film 4 Stars.


Tales of Terror

Morella: Lenora (Maggie Pierce) returns to a home she has never known and a father, Locke (Vincent Price) who turned his back on her after her birth because of the death of his wife/her mother, Morella (Leona Gage). At first, he is less than thrilled to see her, until he learns that she is dying. But there is another who rejoices in this news and tends to make use of it – none other than the long-dead Morella, who has been kept uninterred in an upstairs bedroom.

The Case of Monsieur Valdemar – Valdemar (Vincent Price) is an older man who is dying, to the

chagrin of his young wife Helene (Debra Paget). To make matters worse, he has agreed to allow mesmerist Carmichael (Basil Rathbone) to attend to him, and to be on hand for the moment of his demise in order to carry out his “experiment” regarding what happens at the time of death. Helene is opposed and so is Valdemar’s physician, Dr. James (David Frankham). But Valdemark cannot be dissuaded. He also tells his wife that after his demise, she should be with the handsome doctor. But Carmichael isn’t all he appears to be, and he has plans both for the dying man and his wife.

The Black Cat: Montresor Herringbone (Peter Lorre) is an unemployed drunk who abuses his long-suffering wife Annabel (Joyce Jameson) in order to get money with which to continue drinking. One day, by accident, he stumbles into a wine tasting contest, and decides to challenge a connoisseur of fine wines, Fortunate Luchresi (Vincent Price). Afterward, Fortunato takes the drunken Montresor home and meets the lovely Annabel. The attraction is immediate and an affair begins. Suddenly, Montresor has no problem getting the money he needs to go drinking and stay away from the house. But when he learns the truth, what revenge will he exact on the lovers?

This is one of Roger Corman’s Poe-derived film, and is a favorite of mine, especially the Black Cat segment, which is based on the Cask of Amontillado. Peter Lorre does comedy very well. Also see Comedy of Terrors, which features the same cast, and which I’ll probably review at some time. Basil Rathbone does his usual inimitable job as the villain in Valdemar, and Joyce Jameson is stellar as Annabel in the Black Cat. You can never go wrong with Vincent Price. I’ve seen it a number of times and will watch it again undoubtedly. I give this film 4 Stars.