kevin_robbins

I recently watched He Sees When You're Sleeping (2024) on Tubi. The storyline follows a man who witnessed Santa Claus murder his parents. Seventeen years later, he returns to his family home-just in time for another serial-killing Santa to emerge. Is it a copycat, or has a demon from his past returned?

This picture is directed by Charlie Steeds (Night Harvest) and stars Caroline Williams (Renfield), David Lenik (An English Haunting), Peyton Michelle Edwards (Goodbye Honey), and Lauren-Marie Taylor (In a Violent Nature).

This is a film where the acting, writing, and dialogue all miss the mark. I didn't care for any of the characters, and I found myself hoping the main character would meet his demise. The movie attempts a clever twist, but it doesn't land. There aren't enough horror scenes, memorable kills, or well-executed suspenseful sequences. A few kill setups show potential, but the actual execution falls flat. Overall, there's nothing compelling to see here.

In conclusion, He Sees When You're Sleeping is a low-budget indie film that unfortunately feels every bit of it. I'd score it 1.5/10 and recommend skipping it.

I recently watched Hot Rods to Hell (1966) on Tubi. The storyline follows a father whose life is changed forever after a car accident on his way home from Christmas shopping. Seeking a fresh start, he decides it's time for a career change, sells everything, and buys a small hotel and home in the middle of nowhere in California. As the family drives cross-country to begin their new life, a group of teenagers decides to make things miserable for them.

This picture is directed by John Brahm (12 episodes of The Twilight Zone) and stars Dana Andrews (Laura), Jeanne Crain (State Fair), Mimsy Farmer (Autopsy), and Laurie Mock (Riot on Sunset Strip).

For some reason, the film reminded me of National Lampoon's Vacation and Rutger Hauer's The Hitcher, if that combination had been made in the early '60s. It features a fun soundtrack and a subtle Christmas backdrop. The family dynamic is nicely established-especially the relationship between the father and daughter. The dialogue is entertaining, particularly among the teenagers. There's an intense buildup, though I didn't feel the ending landed as strongly as I'd hoped, but it was still a fun ride.

In conclusion, Hot Rods to Hell is an early, grindhouse entry at the emergence of the genre. It's worth a watch, though not an elite film. I'd score it 5.5-6/10.

My daughter and I recently watched the 10-episode series Devilman Crybaby (2018) on Netflix. The storyline follows a world where demons have emerged on Earth's surface and are ready to take it back. A young man suddenly develops powers and feels compelled to join the fight against them. He quickly discovers he's not the only one with abilities-but why did he receive them, and what does it ultimately mean?

This series was created by Go Nagai (Devilman) and delivers a worthwhile story once all the pieces fall into place. The demon-versus-human conflict, horror elements, and emotional depth are all very strong. It includes the expected love story-which is handled in a surprisingly amusing way-and plenty of gore, kills, and blood splatter to satisfy horror fans. There's also far more sex, nudity, and explicit content than I anticipated. My one complaint is that while the animation is solid, it isn't quite elite. Oh, and the rap sequences were unexpectedly entertaining.

In conclusion, Devilman Crybaby is a step down from Hellsing or Castlevania, but still extremely entertaining. I'd score it a 8/10 and strongly recommend it.