acidburn-10

'Christina's House' is a lame and incoherent straight to video Canadian horror thriller flick from the early 00's that lacks any scares, suspense or even decent storytelling and instead it plays out more like a boring teen drama instead of being an actual horror film. The movie's concept wasn't half bad, and the mystery element was at the very least mildly intrigued, but the filmmakers fumbled the ball at almost every opportunity due to its sluggish pacing and strange choices that just leaves you confused instead of being entertained.

The Plot = A young girl named Christina (Allison Lange) moves into a new house along with her father James (John Savage) and younger brother Bobby (Lorne Stewart). But soon strange occurrences begin happening at their new home and Christina fears that someone is watching her.

The movie really struggles to sustain momentum despite featuring an okay final act which did have some intense moments, but it was a slog getting there and even the mystery element was very predictable and the so-called twist at the end was handled terribly and makes no sense at all. The writing was also another sore point here as there was highly baffling decisions made such as having an incestuous undertone added to the plot which felt very out of the place and having all the male characters acting creepy and deranged felt like a poor attempt at adding depth to this dumpster fire of a movie. There's next to nothing to recommend here as even the death scenes were awfully executed and too tame to pique the interest of any horror fans.

The performances were okay for the most part with Alison Lange giving a decent turn as the female lead, but her character wasn't very likeable or compelling. Brenden Fehr was quite fun as the creepy boyfriend and Brad Rowe gives perhaps the most interesting performance as the handyman.

Overall 'Christina's House' is just another one of those bad 'Scream' knock offs that lacked any sort of charm. There's a reason why some movies remain obscure.

'The Catcher' is a low budget and obscure SOV baseball themed slasher flick from the late 90's that features an interesting concept, some memorable death scenes and a fantastic set location namely the baseball stadium that's perfect for a sports themed slasher flick. But despite a few fun moments and a handful of moments that show ambition, this movie falls rather flat due to its poor storytelling and lacklustre execution which makes this a wasted opportunity.

The Plot = Beginning in 1981 where a young baseball player named Johnny (Fred Meyers) murders his cruel and demanding father (Joe Estevez). Then 17 years later he's released from the local insane asylum and returns to the baseball stadium to begin a killing spree.

For a low budget direct to video flick the movie does looks quite decent with the production having a polished look to it with the stadium itself having a cool eerie vibe to it and gives off a sense of atmospheric dread. The use of dolly tracks and steady cams are handled quite well and there were a couple of inventive kill scenes. The biggest issue that I have with this is the narrative which felt like it was missing a lot of key elements especially when it comes to connecting the past with the present, it felt like it needed more fleshing out and the characters were way too paper thin and weren't given much to do apart from wonder around the dark and empty hallways. I know that this is a cheap slasher flick and not to go into this expecting something fantastic, but the lazy writing and lack of suspense really lets this one down.

The performances for the most part range from bad to unmemorable but there were a couple of standouts such as David Heavener who gives a noteworthy performance as Walker and Monique Parent adds a touch of class as the female lead Terry and gives an okay performance. Joe Estevez was really hammy in his small screen time and just comes off as an annoyance.

Overall 'The Catcher' does feature some fun moments and a brisk running time, but on the whole it's a pretty weak effort.

'Trilogy of Terror' is a quaint and neat little horror anthology TV movie from the 1970's that stars Karen Black in three different stories involving horror, macabre and psychological thriller elements. This is a fun and entertaining outing packed with plenty of tension, frights and suspenseful moments along with an assortment of visceral shocks and some effective twists and turns which makes this one the best made for TV movies out there.

The Plot = Three bizarre horror tales each based on short stories by Richard Matheson and all of which features Karen Black in four very different roles.

With Dan Curtis's strong direction combined with Richard Matheson's writing creates three different but enjoyable and effective tales.

The first story 'Julie' involving a student named Chad Foster (Robert Burton) becoming obsessed with his teacher Julie (Karen Black) and blackmails her into a relationship. This segment still holds up incredibly well today and features a dark and disturbing sequence that must have been even more shocking at the time. The twist at the end was decent enough, but this story felt more like a drama with very little horror elements, but still marks a solid start to this anthology.

The second story 'Millicent and Therese' was a decent little psychological thriller but found the ending way too predictable and it lacked that certain spark that could have made it great. Karen Black's performance was great at playing the dual roles of the sisters Millicent and Therese, but other than that this is definitely the worst story out of the three.

The third and final story 'Amelia' is easily the best one and it's what makes this anthology so great. The story involves a single woman named Amelia (Karen Black) being stalked and attacked by a killer Zuni hunting doll in her apartment. The doll itself looks cool, and the effects are well done especially for such a low budget and the year it was made. The story is packed with plenty of unnerving tension and plays out like a fun slasher flick and the ending was creepy and disturbing and ends this anthology on an almighty high note.

Overall 'Trilogy of Terror' is a well-made and effective made for TV horror anthology film that holds up rather well and features solid acting all around especially from Karen Black who gives powerhouse performances in each tale. A firm classic within the horror anthology sub-genre.

'Supernova' is a silly forgettable and yet pure guilty pleasure sci-fi horror flick that had the potential to be something original and far greater than we actually got, but like many of these genre flicks from this era it got hacked to pieces by studio interference and what we're left with is a hot mess with a derivative plot full of half-baked ideas and poorly developed characters. Despite that the movie isn't all that bad as it does feature some fun and cheesy moments that makes this a somewhat entertaining watch, just don't go into this expecting an underrated classic as you will be sorely disappointed.

The Plot = Set in the 22nd century where the crew of a search and rescue medical shop known as The Nightingale led by Nick Vanzant (James Spader) and Dr Kaela Evans (Angela Bassett) responds to a distress signal from a mining operation 3432 light years away. But it leads them to a mysterious survivor Karl Larson (Peter Facinelli) and a deadly alien artifact that threatens to destroy them all.

The plot despite being very generic wasn't all that bad and it does have some potential to be far better than it was, even if was a far cry from the original concept. But there was just too much wasted potential here especially with the strong cast which were poorly written and apart from one or two weren't given much purpose. The deleted scenes on the DVD hinted at something far darker and interesting and should have been left in the film which would have elevated the production. There are some positives here such as the special effects and production design looks pretty polished and there are a few interesting ideas scattered about even if they were undercooked and there are some genuine moments of suspense and chills during the final act, but other than that there's not all that much to recommend here and this is one of those types of movies that ranks as so bad it's kinda good.

The cast performances were decent with James Spader who adds a decent amount of mystery and intrigue to this character and provides a solid leading man performance. Angela Bassett also manages to shine here as she brings out the intelligence and intensity of her role. Unfortunately, outside of the main two leads it looks like next to no effort was put into the rest of the characters due to the majority of their development being cut out.

Overall 'Supernova' is a bad film through and through and it did deserve it's critical panning and box office bomb status upon it's release, but there's something strangely compelling about it's awfulness that keeps drawing me back to it for some reason.

'Dr Phibes Rises Again' is an entertaining, extravagant and welcomed sequel to the 1971 cult classic 'The Abominable Dr Phibes', which once again brings back the legendary Vincent Price in all his murderous campy glory as the crazed Dr Anton Vibes. Macabre, stylish and over the top this is a solid horror flick with a twisted sense of humour and even though it doesn't quite compare to the greatness of its predecessor, there's still plenty to enjoy here that makes this a worthy companion piece to the original.

The Plot = The vengeful Dr Anton Phibes (Vincent Price) is back once again to retrieve the scrolls of life to resurrect his deceased wife Victoria, only to find that they've been stolen and heads to Egypt with his mute aide Vulnavia (Valli Kemp) to seek revenge upon Darrius Biederback (Robert Quarry) the man that stole them.

Thanks to its deft blend of nasty wit, gimmicky shocks and overall campy kitsch value this remains a solid second outing for Vincent Price and while this does fall a bit short due to it treading on similar ground as the original and a couple of pacing problems. This entry, however, does feature some great moments of suspense, inventive death scenes and rock-solid direction by Robert Fuest who injects some great comedy moments and gives the movie some memorable visuals and glossy set pieces, the production design looks great and really elevates this movie to a much higher level. Despite the somewhat grotesque subject matter, this and the original Dr Phibes film has a strong thread running throughout them, and that is a love story, with Phibes searching for the thing that will bring his beloved wife back to life and that's what provides the heart and soul of these two films and is another aspect of what makes them so great.

The performances are top notch especially from Vincent Price whose simply magnificent to watch and his presence as always makes this a joy to watch. Robert Quarry provides a solid supporting performance. Peter Jeffrey gives a fun performance as Inspector Trout and Valli Kemp gives an alluring performance as the beautiful mute assistant.

Overall 'Dr Phibes Rises Again' may be an inferior sequel when compared to the first one, but it still manages to be a very entertaining film.

'Event Horizon' is an entertaining old school big budget sci-fi horror movie that features an interesting concept, lavish special effects, plenty of gore and disturbing imagery and some effective chills and thrills. Despite the movie's derivative storyline, divisive nature and unfulfilled potential, this is actually one of the better sci-fi horror hybrids out there and didn't deserve the panning it received from the critics upon its release.

The Plot = A rescue crew headed by Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) are sent to investigate and salvage the long-lost starship Event Horizon, which mysteriously disappeared seven years ago on its maiden voyage. The crew soon discovers the truth behind its disappearance, and it turns out to be even more terrifying than anything they could have imagined.

The direction by Paul W. S. Anderson is top notch as uses some brilliant camera techniques to effectively build the tension and suspense which leads to many genuinely chilling moments. The production design is simply breathtaking with brilliantly detailed set pieces and fantastic lighting that generates the right amount of atmospheric dread and unnerving tension. However, despite featuring a strong opening half which slowly builds, but after that the pacing becomes a bit muddled especially during the final act which lacked any real weight due to it being rather rushed and feeling very awkward which I know was down to studio interference, but you can't help but feel a little disappointed after such a fantastic build up. But there's still more than enough to enjoy here and it definitely stands as Paul W. S. Anderson's best work to date (which doesn't say much).

The cast here are fantastic with stellar performances from the likes of Sam Neil and Laurence Fishburne who play off each other brilliantly and adds plenty of depth to their characters. Joely Richardson, Kathleen Quinlan, Richard T. Jones, Jason Issacs, Sean Pertwee and Jack Noseworthy each provides great turns in their respective roles.

Overall 'Event Horizon' doesn't quite rank up there with other horror genre classics, but it still manages to be a strong effort that's definitely worth a look.

'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' is one of those horror films that you've got to admire and appreciate, even if you couldn't really call it an enjoyable viewing experience due to its ugly, chilling and unflinching look into the depravity of the real-life crimes of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. But it's still an incredibly powerful and deeply profound film that truly stands the test of time and has more than earned its status as a masterpiece of the horror genre and is something that should be viewed at least once in a lifetime.

The Plot = Loosely based on real life events, Henry (Michael Rooker) arrives in Chicago and moves in with his ex-con friend Otis (Tom Towles) and soon the pair commits a series of violent murders across the city, each one becoming more and more vicious and perverted than the other.

Even though the movie is a mishmash of fact and fiction, it still manages to give a disturbingly real-life profile of life as a murderous madman Henry Lee Lucas and his accomplice Otis and that's what makes it all the more frightening with every frame being somehow authentic and unreal all at once, which creates a nerve racking experience that really gets under your skin and that's the testament of the powerful direction by John McNaughton and the incredible central performance by Michael Rooker. The almost documentary look and feel of the production adds a gritty yet realistic tone and gives off an atmosphere of utter desolation and despair. The uncompromising vision and sheer brutality certainly pull no punches when it comes to the violence and offers no hope of morality on the horizon, making this a bold and refreshing flick.

The performances are simply fantastic with Michael Rooker's eerily calm and subdued turn as one of the most notorious serial killers to have ever existed, this is without a doubt the finest performance he's ever given. Tom Towles gives an equally impressive and intense performance as Otis.

Overall 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' is a haunting, stark, unsettling and most certainly one of the scariest horror movies ever made.

'Ghosts of Mars' is a silly, trashy, campy and mildly entertaining sci-fi horror action flick directed by John Carpenter that features a lacklustre and tired plot, poorly developed characters and bland production values which gives everything a cheap SyFy channel aesthetic. The bizarre editing choices felt distracting and weird especially for a studio production and the story is also too fragmented and thin to engage you and what you're left with is a strange yet ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience.

The Plot = Set in the distant future of 2176, a Martian police unit led by Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge) to pick up Desolation Williams (Ice Cube), a highly dangerous criminal at a remote mining post on Mars. But when the team arrives, they find that demons of an ancient Martian race have possessed the entire colony.

If you're looking for a classic John Carpenter feature along the lines of 'The Thing', 'Halloween' or 'Escape From New York', then look elsewhere as this movie is a bitter disappointment as almost none of his directional flourishes are present here and he just seemed to be going through the motions at this point and its sad to see such a legendary icon reduced to this. The concept of warriors on Mars could have been quite fun, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired in that regards, thanks to the obvious production problems and messy storytelling.

However, there are a few positives that I could give this such as some of action scenes were fast and exciting and the pacing was at the very least brisk and there was also plenty of blood and gory set pieces that at the very least will keep horror fans slightly amused, but other than that there's nothing else to really enjoy here.

The acting was very much a mixed bag with Natasha Henstridge giving a bland and cold leading performance as Melanie Ballard. Ice Cube was okay and did what he could with his poorly written character. Pam Grier deserved more screen time and could have elevated this a lot more. Jason Statham was the firm standout here and delivers a fun and charismatic performance as the touch talking deputy.

Overall 'Ghosts of Mars' is not totally unwatchable, but it does stand as one of Carpenter's very worst directional efforts that led to him leaving the industry on a sour note.

'The Orphanage' is a haunting and heartbreaking Spanish gothic supernatural horror film directed by J. A. Bayona and in his debut feature he has created a deeply absorbing and beautifully crafted film that thrives on its chilling and unsettling atmosphere filled with intense sequences, unnerving dread and shocking moments. This is an elegant ghost story that expands beyond the scope of the horror genre and brings something new and unexpected to the table.

The Plot = Laura (Belen Rueda) brings her family back to her childhood home, which used to be an orphanage for handicapped children. Soon, her son Simon (Roger Princep) starts to communicate with an invisible new friend and one day he disappears.

The movie's biggest strength is its compelling story that not only features an utterly gripping mystery, but it also manages to hit you on an emotional level and conveys a lot of that through small details and excellent writing, and everything is framed and structured in an intelligent and thoughtful way. The movie also takes some very interesting twists and turns with plenty of scares and frightening moments that runs deeper than the usual horror fare as it leads to an emotionally devasting finale that will leave you feeling shell-shocked. J. A. Bayona's direction is outstanding as he both employs and examines the classic haunted house genre tropes to create something beautiful and unique.

The performances here are excellent with Belen Rueda giving a powerful performance as the grief-stricken Laura and she really pulls you into this haunting story and ranks as one of the greatest performances of horror cinema. Roger Princep gives an astonishing performance as Simon and conveys so much range with his role and totally runs with it.

Overall 'The Orphanage' is a top-class production from start to finish and stands as one the finest and most recent ghost stories of all-time.

'Poltergeist' is a fantastic and extremely intense supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and co-written and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. This movie features an eerie atmosphere that successfully blends classic haunted house scares with a modern and seemingly normal suburban setting with its true terror being defined by its deep emotional centre that by far outweighs its conventional jump scares and thanks to this it went onto become one of the defining horror films of the 1980's.

The Plot = A family's dream home turns into their worst nightmares when it becomes the centre of paranormal activity as evil spirits torment them and possess the soul of their youngest daughter Carol Anne (Heather O' Rourke). With help, they must cross over the other side to get their daughter back.

What makes this movie so special is that its elements can be read in several different ways such as it being a simple ghost story and about how a story about grief hope and loss can change a family, it's all these things and so much more. The combinations of over-the-top supernatural events and its likeable cast that you naturally root for is what makes this an all-time classic. The movie starts off with very subtle moments of ghostly dread and then as the action ramps up the scares and thrills come thick and fast it becomes an intense rollercoaster ride from start to finish. The combination of both Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg is what really makes this movie pop and proves to be a perfect showcase for both their talents. The dazzling special effects is yet another firm movie highlight and for the most part still holds up remarkably well.

The cast is excellent all around with JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson giving superb and well-rounded performances as the parents. Heather O' Rourke provides a performance so rich and intelligent for her young age and finally Zelda Rubinstein gives a scene stealing performance as Tangina the clairvoyant, one of the most memorable and iconic characters of horror cinema.

Overall 'Poltergeist' is a true supernatural horror classic that hits all the right emotional notes and even after more than 4 decades it's still an influential classic.

'Dead of Night' is a perfectly crafted, wonderfully atmospheric and influential classic British supernatural horror anthology film. Made up of five short stories all crafted by different directors that range from creepy to funny to outright terrifying with every frame infused with foreboding dread creating an extremely haunting viewing experience that will stay with you long after it's over. This is a landmark film that would set the standards for the horror anthology subgenre for decades to come.

The Plot = An architect named Walter Craig (Mervyn Jones) visits a country house only to find himself trapped in a recurring nightmare involving tales of bizarre and chilling dreams told by fellow guests at the manot.

This movie proves that you can make an effective horror flick without resorting to on-screen violence of gore and instead focuses on atmosphere, imagery and its themes to tell a compelling narrative and it totally works. All five of the stories are excellently directed with each bringing something different to the film, making it a diverse yet coherent exercise in storytelling with the transition between each tale being subtle and seamless at the same time.

The overarching story at the farmhouse directed by Basil Dearden sets the tone perfectly as we're introduced to the characters and the excellent central performance by Mervyn Jones who goes from bewilderment to an increasing apprehension and along with the wonderful direction keeps you intrigued with this framing device that eases you into this strange and mysterious set-up.

The first tale 'The Hearse Driver' (also directed by Basil Dearden) is very simple and short and acts as a mere appetizer for what's to come. Racing car driver Hugh Grainger (Anthony Baird) is recovering from an accident in hospital and has premonitions of his own demise. This segment has a certain eerie ambiance to it but feels rather slight when compared to some of the other tales.

The second story 'The Christmas Party' helmed by Alberto Cavalcanti is told by a young girl Sally O' Hara (Sally Ann Howles) is about her supernatural experience at a party where she met a small child who wasn't what he seemed. This is yet another short, yet effectively chilling ghost story complete with a large Victorian house filled fill of children, a cosy fireplace and creepy dark passageways. The fact that this was based on a real-life event in 1860 makes this tale even more disturbing.

'The Haunted Mirror' directed by Robert Hamer and is told by Joan Cortland (Googie Withers) and is based upon an original story by John Baines. Joan's husband Peter Cortland (Ralph Michael) becomes possessed by a violent spirit who inhabits a room inside an antique mirror. This is a brilliant short story and acts as a powerful mood piece with great effects and packed with tension.

The next tale 'The Golfer's Story' directed by Charles Crichton and based upon a story by H. G. Wells takes a more comedic and oddball approach which sees two rival golfers George and Larry (Basil Radford & Naunton Wayne) respectively, competing for the affections of a young woman named Mary Lee (Peggy Bryan) and when loses he commits suicide and comes back to haunt the other. This segment does feel a little out of place but does offer a bit of light relief before the disturbing final tale and chaotic climax.

The final story 'The Ventriloquist's Dummy' directed once again by Alberto Cavalcanti is easily the most celebrated and terrifying story of this anthology. This is brilliantly dark tale features a standout amazing performance by Michael Redgrave and marks a fantastic finale as this tale plunges you into the stunning nightmarish visuals which has been slowing building throughout its runtime and ends things with an almighty bang.

Overall 'Dead of Night' ranks as not only a brilliant horror anthology, but as one of the finest British horror movies of all-time and has most definitely stood the test of time.

'Creature From the Black Lagoon' is a beautifully crafted horror classic which introduces one of Universal's most iconic and interesting of monsters the Gill Man. Heavily atmospheric and tremendously effective this black and white creature feature is charged with an unsettling tone and delivers a strong cast, a stunning exotic location, impressive visuals and chilling underwater photography, this movie is one of the quintessential monster movies of the 1950's.

The Plot = When a scientist uncovers a strange, partially fossilized skeletal hand, a group of archaeologists travels along the Amazon River to discover more. What they encounter is a prehistoric Gill Man in the legendary Black Lagoon, and the monster refuses to let anyone leave the jungle alive.

Though these types of creature features are very much a product of their time. They have a certain charm about them that has made them hold up after all these years despite their limitations of budget and time period and this is no exception. The narrative does a great job of building momentum and generates a great amount of tension and suspense resulting in a wonderful adventure film laced with enough horror elements and fantastic special effects that helps it rise above the usual b-movie genre fare. Just like all the other classic Universal Monsters films, this production thrives on atmosphere from the disturbingly calm waters of the Black Lagoon to the unsettling swamp lake setting which gives everything an intense vibe. The direction by Jack Arnold is solid, the cinematography is potent, and the underwater sequences are simply hypnotic and haunting and gives the film an outstanding tonal ambiance to it.

The cast here does a tremendous job with the material with Julie Adams giving a fantastic and charismatic performance as Kate Lawrence. She's simply radiant in her role as the eventual damsel in distress. Antonio Moreno, Richard Carlson and Richard Denning each provides solid performances in their roles.

However, as always with these Universal Monster flicks the real star of the show is the Gill Man itself brought to life by two actors Ben Chapman and Ricou Browning performing the on land and underwater sequences respectively and the incredible creature design work by Milicent Patrick who creates a truly original and remarkable masterpiece that stands the test of time.

Overall 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' is an absolute must see for not only fans of the Universal Monsters franchise but for anyone who loves those classic creature feature flicks in general.

'Phantom of the Opera' is a lavish and enchanting romantic horror film from the classic Universal monster's franchise. Based upon the famous novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux and this stands as the second adaptation after the classic 1925 version. This movie is a solid version of the original story featuring wonderful performances, extravagant production values and an effective narrative, but by stripping away many of the story's darker elements and instead focusing more the romance and melodrama, it results in a horror movie with very few thrills or frights.

The Plot = A violinist named Erique Claudin (Claude Rains) is hopelessly in love with rising operatic soprano Christine Dubois (Susanna Foster) and secretly aids her career. But Claudin loses both his touch and his job at the Paris Opera House. After this he submits a piano concerto to the publishers, only to have it stolen and in a fit of rage he lashes out and has acid thrown into his face. Soon, mysterious crimes plague the Paris Opera House.

Despite living in the shadow of it's 1925 classic counterpart, this is still a fantastic and often overlooked horror film from the classic Universal Monsters line-up and while this doesn't quite rank as a classic within the genre, it's still a lot better than a lot of the later films from that era. The movie's strongest aspect are the stunning visuals, grand set designs, well-staged opera sequences and vibrant cinematography that thanks to it being shot in technicolour it greatly enhances everything. There are some genuinely suspenseful scenes especially as we enter the final act, which is full of murder, mayhem and thrills, especially the famous giant chandelier scene which adds a sense of danger and excitement to the production.

The main faults here is when the movie tends to focus more on the comedy and musical numbers which lessens the horror elements significantly, when the narrative shifts towards the tragedy of the Phantom and his story, that is when this adaptation excels and is what makes it so effective.

The performances here are great with Claude Rains bringing a certain amount of gravitas to his tragic role and turns in a brilliant performance. Susanna Foster delivers a strong performance as the radiantly beautiful Christine Dubois. Nelson Eddy is solid as the hero of the story and Edgar Barrier also delivers a strong performance.

Overall 'Phantom of the Opera' is a beautiful, picturesque take on the classic story that manages to be engaging and effective and yet sad and tragic at the same time. Not the best adaptation out there, but a pretty solid one.

'The Wolf Man' is an enduring classic Universal horror film directed by George Waggner and drenched in a creepy, melancholy atmosphere and featuring a perfectly realized and well executed narrative. Headlined by the fantastic Lon Chaney Jr and brimming with gothic imagery, this highly imaginative production excels in its tragic story and wonderful cast. This movie is a perfect example of the quality of the Universal horror films that came out during this era and deserves its place as one of the greatest werewolf monster flicks of all-time.

The Plot = After his brother's death, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr) returns home to his father Sir John (Claude Rains) and the family estate. Larry then falls head over heels for the beautiful Gwen (Evelyn Ankers) and one fateful night he's bitten by a mysterious wolf and begins to fall prey to ancient curse.

The movie beautifully conveys a palpable sense of dread throughout its runtime thanks to its elegant production and classy approach to the material to create a rich and thoroughly engaging horror production that maintains a dire tone as we witness the main character spiral down into madness with no hope of escape. This aspect acts as a tragic yet timeless character study that examines the duality of man and monster which adds an even more fascinating layer to this classic horror film. The direction by George Waggner is outstanding and the creature effects of the titular 'Wolf Man' by Jack Pierce are meticulously designed and distinct giving us yet another incredibly iconic monster.

Lon Chaney Jr gives a remarkable dual performance as the mild-mannered Larry and the Wolf Man and does a perfect job with balancing these challenging roles that evokes sympathy and terror all at once and is what makes this story so compelling, he is truly captivating in what must be the best role of his entire career. Claude Rains delivers a fantastic performance as the father. Other notable performances are Evelyn Ankers, Bela Lugosi, Warren William and Maria Ouspenskaya and each performs with conviction and does a bang-up job in filling out this gothic world.

Overall 'The Wolf Man' is a sensational black and white horror film that genuinely captures the magic and spirit of the classic universal monster franchise and stands as an all-time masterpiece of the genre.

'Bride of Frankenstein' is an exceptional and beautifully crafted follow up to the masterful original 1931 film. Superbly directed by James Whale and loosely based upon Mary Shelly's timeless novel, and once again starring Boris Karloff as the monster, this movie is a horror masterpiece that perfectly combines frights, black humour and heartbreaking tragedy to create the greatest horror movie in the Universal Monsters franchise, and one of the greatest horror sequels of all-time that manages the rare feat of outshining its predecessor in almost every way possible.

The Plot = Taking place after the events of the first film, Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) and his monster (Boris Karloff) are still alive with Henry no longer wanting to do evil experiments, but mad scientist Dr Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger) kidnaps his wife Elizabeth (Valerie Dobson) and forces Frankenstein to help him create a new creature, a woman, to be the mate of the monster.

The film is a truly magnificent piece of cinema, and it can be attributed to a number of elements such as the expert direction by James Whale, the cinematography by John J Mescall and the art direction by Charles D Hall. Just like the original film, the technical aspects are extraordinary with its gothic atmosphere, foreboding tone, stylish sets and the thoughtful script which combines horror, suspense and black comedy effectively into one neat package. James Whale and the filmmakers created something well and truly special here.

The movie has a way of getting under your skin, but the fear it leaves us with is not the horrific murders the monster commits, but it's the heartbreaking themes of being isolated and alone which helps us sympathize with the monster and given that he can now communicate, it successfully conveys so much more depth.

Boris Karloff dominates his role as the monster to an even greater extent than before and this time he is given a clearer character arc, from anger through hope and to despair, as well as experiencing a whole range of different emotions before being cruelly taken away from him. But the best addition to this film must be Elsa Lanchester as the monster's bride and its an iconic and unforgettable experience, her performance steals the show despite the limited screen lime and leaves an indelible impression as one of the all-time genre-defining monsters.

Overall 'Bride of Frankenstein' is an exceptional piece of the Hollywood Golden Age of cinema that has not lost any of its impact or potency after all these years.

'The Invisible Man' is an iconic Universal Monster feature which classically portrays a legendary monster in the most wonderous of ways. Beautifully crafted and creatively imagined, this production features rich timeless special effects, witty dark humour and completely outrageous moments all combined with a wonderful performance by an actor who isn't even seen. The movie is an entertaining ride from start to finish and well and truly earns its classic legendary horror status.

The Plot = A young scientist named Dr Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) discovers a dangerous formula that can make a person turn invisible, but after he tests it on himself, he struggles to find a way to reverse it and becomes murderously insane.

Based upon the groundbreaking sci-fi novel of the same name by H. G. Wells, the film astounds its audience with not only the mind-blowing special effects but for the suspense and intrigue of the story which is ripe with horror, mystery and humour and the flawless direction by James Whale brilliantly conducts these elements together into one hell of a masterpiece. While it isn't as horror driven as most of the Universal monsters, the movie feels right at home in that classic lineup alongside Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man & Gill Man. The special effects are simply magical and sparks a memorable affair of outstanding and memorable sequences which manages to be surreal and yet believable at the same time. The mean-spirited nature of the production thrills at every turn.

One of the main aspects that makes this film so great is the magnetic performance of Claude Rains in the titular role. This is such a demanding role that could have easily gone over the top, but Claude does an incredible job and gives the role a harsh egotistical disposition that brings this film to life with a manic energy that conveys menace, humour and murderous insanity, he simply makes this character his own. There are fantastic supporting turns from Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan and Henry Travers, as well as a hilarious and memorable turn from Una O' Connor. But without a doubt it's Claude Rains who steals the show here.

Overall 'The Invisible Man' is a horror/sci-fi masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of its era with many groundbreaking moments while at the same time maintaining that dark twisted sense of humour. One of the all-time best from the Universal monster movie franchise.

'The Mummy' is a strange, sophisticated and unique vintage horror classic directed by Karl Freund and stands as the 3rd entry in the Universal Monster Movies franchise. This movie stands out from the previous monster films that came before it due to it being a more fantasy/horror/adventure genre hybrid and yet still retains an eerie atmosphere and chilling iconic imagery that stays with you long after its over and that what makes it so interesting and compelling. This is a superb horror classic, one that takes inspiration from other Universal monster films and yet crafts a vision of its own uniqueness and would inspire countless other mummy movies that followed in its wake.

The Plot = Beginning in 1921 where a field expedition in Egypt discovers the mummy of ancient prince Imhotep (Boris Karloff), who was condemned and buried alive. Also found in the tomb is the Scroll of Thoth, which can bring the dead back to life. One night the scroll is read aloud, and the mummy is brought back to life.

Unlike 'Dracula' or 'Frankenstein', this movie isn't based on any novels, instead it was inspired by the real-life event of the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb along with the supposed curse of the Pharaoh's in Egypt. Despite never reaching the same heights in the horror genre as its contemporaries due to the wildly different interpretations it's had over the decades that followed, but the mummy's iconic appearance and original story of romance and terror across time has helped it stand alongside the other iconic monsters.

The narrative plays out more like a romantic fantasy more than a straight up horror flick which may turn some viewers off, but I found the different blend of genres and the deliberate slow burn pacing rather riveting as it effectively builds tension and mood in all the right moments before leading to a solid finale. The direction by Karl Freund was excellent with his striking visuals and deft use of camera techniques and lighting creates a mysterious and chillingly foreboding tone to the production that was perfect for the story. The make-up and creature design is another key element as to why this film works so well.

The acting performances here are top-notch with Boris Karloff proving once again to be an inspired choice for playing the titular monster role and dominates the movie with his screen presence alone and conveys so much emotion with just his eyes and stature. Edward Van Sloan was great in his role as Doctor Muller. David Manners was solid as the romantic leading man Frank and Zita Johann gives a strong performance as Helen, the woman who resembles Imhotep's lost love.

Overall 'The Mummy' is a classic and timeless horror tale that still shines far above than its sequels and most of the remakes that followed it. While not quite a masterpiece of the genre it's still a great piece of Hollywood filmmaking history.

James Whale's 'Frankenstein' is the cornerstone of all monster movies that remains not only an enduring classic but a revolutionary film that would forever leave its mark on horror cinema. Loosely based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel 'Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus' and although this wasn't the first adaptation this is by far the most famous one and the one that forever shaped the Frankenstein's monster mythos. This is a legendary masterpiece of the horror genre at its upmost finest and something that will always resonate with its audience.

The Plot = Dr Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), a mad scientist becomes obsessed with creating a living being by using human body parts from the recently deceased. But his assistant Fritz (Dwight Frye) accidently uses the brain of a madman. Henry succeeds in creating life, but his creation (Boris Karloff) is looked upon as a monster by the local villagers, who wishes to destroy it.

Synonymous with horror, this is still the archetypal horror film of all-time that still retains its power to shock, fright, disturb and yet captivate its audience. When discussing on what makes this film an undeniable iconic classic are several elements, firstly the excellent novel that it's based upon where James Whale takes Mary Shelley's story into a very different direction while at the same time keeping the general ideas by taking the core of the book and shedding many layers of story. The direction by James Whale is meticulous as he creates a remarkably cinematic world infused with a foreboding and haunting atmosphere, rich gothic imagery and excellent filmmaking all around. The narrative is superbly realized and maintains momentum throughout its runtime. There's simply no area where the production doesn't excel in as everything's pitch perfect.

Then there's Boris Karloff's iconic and mesmerizing portrayal of Frankenstein's monster who manages the make his character frightening and sympathetic at the same time. Boris Karloff embodies the Monster with such nuance and vulnerability which makes him someone that you the audience can resonate with. The monster design itself is excellently crafted by Jack P. Pierce with its grotesque appearance, heavily ridged forehead, dull eyes and metal bolts sticking out of its neck, it's an image that has become immortal within itself.

The performances from the rest of cast are top notch as well with Colin Clive giving a fantastically manic and brilliant performance as the mad doctor. Dwight Frye is fantastic as the assistant Fritz and Mae Clark gives an acceptable performance as Elizabeth.

Overall 'Frankenstein' is well and truly a masterpiece of the horror genre and an important entry in the Universal Classic Monster movies and its easy to see why it's tale of morality has become such a larger-than-life cultural icon.

'Dracula' is still often regarded as one of the greatest vampire horror films of all time that would set the ultimate standard for the horror genre and would bring it into the golden age of Hollywood cinema forever and still to this day it holds up remarkably well for a movie more than 90 years old. Based upon Bram Stoker's original 1897 novel and directed by Tod Browning, this version remains an essential viewing experience and there's no denying the influence that it continues to have over all horror films that followed with many elements introduced here that are still used in vampire films today.

The Plot = Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) enslaves a solicitor Renfield (Dwight Frye) to his will and moves from Transylvania to London where he sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.

The movie is a gothic horror classic that kickstarted the Universal Monster movies and as fantastic as it is especially with Bela Lugosi's iconic performance as Dracula himself, the movie does have a few faults and comes across as a bit shoddy when compared to the later Monster films but given that its very much a product of its time it gets away with it for the most part despite its lacklustre ending and complete lack of special effects.

From its opening moments the direction by Tod Browning sets a foreboding tone that seduces you with gothic imagery and compelling imagery that's overflowing with atmosphere and the cinematography is spell binding and chillingly magnetic as it captures the spirit of its source material beautifully. The narrative is fascinating and well-paced and does a great job of mounting tension and suspense that builds throughout its run time. This is often regarded as the first film adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel even though it's not, 1922's 'Nosferatu' beat it to the punch by nine years, but this was the first American version and still to this day remains a mysterious, elegant and captivating classic.

The performances here are outstanding but it's Bela Lugosi's mesmerizing portrayal of Count Dracula is what steals the show here and delivers an iconic performance for the ages and he was clearly born to play this role.

Overall 'Dracula' is not perfect by any means, but it's iconic legacy on horror cinema cannot be denied.

'The Gate' is a richly enjoyable and fantastically cheesy horror fantasy flick featuring a wild premise and a collection of creative off the wall scenes that are brimming with cult classic visual delights. Entertaining, surreal and altogether unhinged the production thrives in a world of horrific sights and obscure frights all jam packed into an outrageously demented and sometimes quite unpredictable children's fantasy film.

The Plot = Two young friends, Glen (Stephen Dorff) and Terry (Louis Tripp) who accidently stumble upon a malevolent demon from the depths of hell after finding a meteor that crash landed in Glen's backyard that opens a gateway to hell and release a swarm of demons.

The movie manages to be both timeless and dated at the same time, its timeless quality comes from the fact that it effectively taps into childhood fears about monsters that goes bump in the night, and ridiculously dated in that it's very much a product of its time the 80's with the whole Satanic Panic angle and horrible 80's fashion. Oddly enough for a movie that's as cheesy as it is, it works very well thanks to its intimate approach with the small cast of characters and of course the imaginative creatures and the constant barrage of special effects that graces the big screen with mischievous little devilish minions and zombies, the movie is packed with creativity, forced perspective camerawork and stop motion animation which gives adds to the outlandish nature of the production and gives off a cool nightmarish feel. The horror elements may feel a bit tame by today's standards, but the movie is well paced with plenty of fun moments and vivid visuals that makes this a solid genre piece for younger viewers.

The performances from the tight knit cast are incredibly strong with Stephen Dorff gives a genuine and heartfelt performance as the reluctant young hero and does a wonderful job in presenting the story from a kid's point of view. Louis Tripp provides an outstanding and scene stealing performance as nerdy metal head Terry. Christa Denton also shines here as Glen's older sister Alexandra and the bond between the three main leads feels naturalistic and they make a great team.

Overall 'The Gate' is a hellishly entertaining viewing experience from start to finish.

'The Vault of Horror' is a solid yet campy British horror anthology flick from Amicus Productions that provides five impressively entertaining horror stories - covering elements as diverse as vampires, voodoo, cursed artifacts, insurance fraud and murder. There's a little something for all horror fans in each tale and are each presented in a tongue in cheek nature that finds the perfect balance between frights and fun.

The Plot = An anthology of 5 horror stories shared by five men Harold Rogers (Daniel Massey), Arthur Critchit (Terry Thomas), Sebastian (Curd Jurgens), Maitland (Michael Craig) & Moore (Tom Baker) who find themselves trapped in the basement of an office building.

This anthology is a good time even if the horror elements are less effective as it focuses more on the campy humour which isn't bad thing by any means as there is a certain amount of charm to it, but it's sorely lacking atmosphere and most of the stories are decent with each tale having interesting gimmicks and tackles both supernatural elements and social commentary which gives depth to each segment, but the outcomes are rather predictable and range from good to just plain dull

The first segment 'Midnight Mess' is an enjoyable little vampire tale about a man whose an absolute psychopath and kills his sister for the family inheritance. Only to discover he's trapped in a town filled with vampires. The story's intriguing and features solid performances from both Daniel and Anna Massey and the overall tone is off-kilter and goofy at the same time and leads to fun final climax.

The second story 'The Neat Job' features an obsessively fussy man who likes to keep a tidy house, and his wife becomes fed up with these orders and takes matters into her own hands. This easily the most entertaining with stellar performances from Terry Thomas and Glynis Johns and features one hell of a twisted and macabre ending.

The third story 'This Trick'll Kill You' is probably my least favourite out of the bunch with a very lacklustre story and the special effects with the rope was very lame. I get the social commentary that they were trying to go for here, but it falls flat.

'Bargain in Death' was a solid and gruesome tale about two men trying to pull off an insurance scam by burying one of them alive. This features perhaps the best atmosphere of the bunch, and it's got a compelling story that unfolds in a nonlinear way which makes it rather unique and leads to a satisfying poetic justice ending.

The final story 'Drawn and Quartered' marks a solid ending to this anthology with its tale of revenge and magic. The wraparound segments felt unnecessary and a tad uninspired.

Overall 'The Vault of Horror' is a fun and watchable horror anthology flick, but it does pale in comparison to the likes of other Amicus Production films such as 'Tales from the Crypt' & 'Asylum', however, it's still entertaining as hell.

'Body Snatchers' a creepy, taut and tense sci-fi horror flick directed by Abel Ferrara that features a unique setting, a nice mix of sci-fi tinged horror along with an effective and eerie atmosphere filled with an unnerving sense of paranoia and dread making this a decent re-adaptation or a reimagining of sorts of the classic 1955 novel by Jack Finney. This movie is the 3rd movie adaptation and while it isn't anywhere near as strong as the 1956 and 1978 versions, it still manages to be a decent and overlooked little horror movie.

The Plot = A family consisting of Father Steve Malone (Terry Kinney), stepmother Carol (Meg Tilley), teenager Marti (Gabrielle Anwar) and younger brother Andy (Reilly Murphy) travels to a military base in the south where Steve has landed a job there. However, they soon discover that alien clones are replacing humans.

The intense paranoia the body snatcher movies have been built on are ever present here, especially when straight away you get the sense that something is off and if you're familiar with the genre tropes or even the previous versions then you'll know exactly where this is heading. The narrative is well told and leaves room for plenty of character development, even if it does take a while to get to the good stuff, but once it hits its stride there's no holding back as the visuals are allowed to carry the story with plenty of action sequences, solid special effects and spine-tingling moments that leads to a satisfying climax that ends the movie on a high note. The direction by Abel Ferrara is slick and polished as he injects the right amount of mood and style to the production and by using his provocative sensibilities over the need to educate to present and shape the themes of this film in his own way and gives his own distinct vibe to this version.

The performances here are good with Gabrielle Anwar giving a solid leading performance and more than holds her own as the angsty teenager. Christine Elise gives a memorable performance as the punky teen and embraces her role brilliantly. Meg Tilley proves to be a firm standout in her role. Terry Kinney was fine as the dad and Billy Wirth was likeable in his heroic role, but a little on the bland side. Forest Whitaker and R. Lee Ermey adds a touch of greatness to this cast even if they were a little underused.

Overall 'Body Snatchers' is a solid companion piece to the previous two versions and while it's nothing groundbreaking, it's still an underrated sci-fi horror gem.

'The Autopsy of Jane Doe' is a bold and refreshingly original supernatural horror flick directed by Andre Ovredal that covers a particular component not told much in the horror genre with it being set in a morgue and that setting alone creates some instant dread and gives the film a skin crawling and disturbing creep factor that hits on a terrifying level. This overlooked gem is mysterious, intense, well-paced and well-acted and if you're looking for something genuinely in the genre then I urge you to check this out.

The Plot = Experienced coroner Tommy Tilden (Brian Cox) and his son Austin (Emile Hirsch) who's also a coroner, are pulled into a complex mystery while attempting to identify the cause of death of a young woman nicknamed 'Jane Doe' found in the basement of a house where multiple murders took place.

The most interesting aspect of the film is the mystery involving the body of Jane Doe which gives the production an eerie atmosphere which is skilfully built with unnerving tension especially as the film progresses building from one reveal to the next and each creepier than the last. The movie relies heavily on its cleverly crafted characters to tell its engaging story and even the autopsy scenes are incredibly fascinating with the sterile medial techniques applied gives the movie a realistic vibe, only for the story to go to a much darker place resulting in a night of disturbing events. The score by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans adds a wonderful ominous and eerie vibe to the production along with its striking cinematography and superb direction by Andre Ovredal as he masterfully executes the spine-tingling nature of the story and creates something fresh and unique that subverts expectations. The only minor gripe I have is the ending where events start to take a different turn and it becomes rather jarring, but other than that this is still a captivating horror flick.

The performances from the tight knit cast are simply excellent with incredible performances from both Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch. Brain Cox brings such an engaging screen presence to his role. Emile Hirsch more than holds his own here and the dynamic and chemistry between the two are pitch perfect.

Overall 'The Autopsy of Jane Doe' is a welcome breath of fresh air to the horror genre, a fresh, intelligent and compelling flick that will stand the test of time.

'The Tingler' is frighteningly fun, gloriously nonsensical and yet well-crafted late 50's horror flick headlined by the always fantastic Vincent Price and directed by William Castle. Filled to the brim with hokey gimmicks, weird set pieces and a macabre sensibility, this entertaining production is undeniably silly and goofy at times but remains a beloved genre cult classic for more than half a century since it's release and for good reason as it's a ridiculously entertaining viewing experience from start to finish.

The Plot = Dr Warren Chapin (Vincent Price) a pathologist discovers and captures a parasitic creature while operating on Martha Higgins (Judith Evelyn) a deaf-mute woman. The parasite known as 'The Tingler' feeds on its host and grows when its host is scared.

This is a fantastic gimmicky and wacky horror film that's altogether harmless campy fun with a delightfully macabre and demented tone and provides a great starring role for Vincent Price who gives a dynamic and energized leading man performance and carries the production in his usual legendary style in what must be one his finest and best loved starring vehicles. The production is awash in quirky moments that will have you smiling from ear to ear and enough surprises and twists to keep you invested throughout. The introduction and direction by William Castle show off all his strengths as a master showman and filmmaker and give the viewer a fun ride and here he certainly delivers it in spades.

Although, the Tingler itself may be a very wobbly and cheap effect, but the idea behind it is simply brilliant and the scenes involving it are some of the very best.

Overall 'The Tingler' may seem a bit goofy by today's standards, but so what it's a charming and brilliant horror feature that doesn't need to be taken seriously so just sit back and have fun with it.

'The Terror of Dr Hichcock' also known as 'The Horrible Dr Hichcock' is a beautifully twisted Italian gothic horror classic filled with atmosphere, beautiful women, stylish visuals and a disturbing element of necrophilia which adds a haunting and surreal tone to the production. Beautifully directed by Riccardo Freda this underrated little horror gem is a must see not just for Italian horror fans but for genre fans in general.

The Plot = Set in the 1880's London, A respected surgeon Dr Hichcock (Robert Flemyng) is secretly a necrophile who enjoys giving his wife Margherita (Maria Teresa Vianello) poisonous injections that simulate death but is left devasted when his sick game goes wrong, and she dies. The Doctor flees the mansion and returns 12 years later with his new wife Cynthia (Barbara Steele), but it's not long before Hichcock's twisted desires rise to the surface again.

While there's very little that's original about the story and lacking any real surprises even the plot twist was rather predictable, but that's not what the movie's about - it's about the morbid setting, the journey, the tension and the mood that captivates you in a world where you can easily get lost in and just enjoy the rich visual cinematic tapestry that's on display here. Even though the premise may be lacking in originality but that doesn't make it any less compelling and it even features all the usual gothic horror cliches and that's what makes this such a great and entertaining horror film.

The movie benefits greatly from the fantastic cast. Barbara Steele gives a compelling performance as the tormented leading lady, she's relatable and believable with her engaging screen presence. Robert Flemyng gives a fantastic performance as the doctor tortured by his own desires. Harriet Medin gives a solid and eerie performance as the strange maid Martha and Silvano Tranquillie also gives a good performance as the kindhearted Dr Kurt Russ.

Overall 'The Terror of Dr Hichcock' is a fantastic slow burn Italian gothic horror flick from the 1960's.