hellraiser7

This game is another favorite in the "Ball Breaker" as well as "Roguelite" genres of video games. This is a different kind of "Ball Breaker" game as it's really this big smoothe mix of genres and subgenres and surprisingly it makes one heck of a tasty drink.

Not much to the plot as you're a lone warrior along with a party of characters you unlock latter on, to constantly decent down while fighting of evil forces and building your land. That's pretty much it in a nutshell; this isn't a game about story but about doing and thinking.

You have different kinds of characters, each of them has strengths and weaknesses, it's interesting to have to play as different characters just seeing what they're capable of and helps in figuring out which ones work best for the level.

Your task of course is to shoot descending blocks, each of the blocks contains creatures, each of them of varied strengths, and some can shoot back in different ways. But also, they collide with you once they descend to your end of the screen; they drain away a little of your life once they do. So, if you're going to destroy them, do it as soon as possible and you really need to as you get further the odds stack up against you as quickly as they come down.

Though the tough blocks are the sub and main bosses, each of them is always different and aren't hard to knock down, though not easy depending on how much you were able to build your character up and know their attack patterns.

One of the highlights is the whole ball fusion concept, mixing certain balls together is by its nature a rather fascinating chemistry experiment as you're able to turn both balls into a different kind of ball that can be a little more powerful but also just do something else to give yourself a step up in the game. Even when you get further things change as you get some different kinds of power ups which not just help put you up a step but just help keep the game a little fresh.

As well as the RPG elements when you collect enough power blocks to fill up your power gauge you instantly on the character inventory window where you pick out one item to fill in the offense and defense boxes; and if course from what you picked you can build up on them. However, pick carefully because you never know what other items will pop up and really do spell out the difference in survival and advancement.

Another interesting thing is the fact this game is a bit of a simulation and strategy game almost in the same vein as games like "Sim City" and "Act Raiser". You must create and build an economy which consists of gold, wheat, wood and minerals. But you also have these building structures which help in building up your stats to your characters depending on how much you build and take care of them.

Of course, like all in the roguelite genre, it's not easy as you won't be able to pass a single level on the first go; as those games operate on the old saying, "You can't expect to get it right the first time." So, don't get discouraged if you go more than once; but I don't mind as it's rewarding as you realize how much you've built to come so far; and you play on just to see how much further you can go.

"Ball x Pit" has plenty of bounce that bounces back for fun.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.

This film is one of my favorites in the slasher genre, but one of my favorites in the holiday horror subgenre and "Thanksgiving" films if you can believe that. As I've said before in the past, I've always had a fascination with the horror genre turning our most beloved holiday's upside down.

Of course, I remember this film starting out as a mock trailer for the film "Grindhouse" which I saw in theaters. Finally seeing this film made was a dream come true for me, not just for that mock trailer to become an actual film but just simply having another holiday horror film in general which was something the horror genre has been sorely missing for years.

The plotline is like a lot of slashers, but I wouldn't want it any other way. And it's good because it has weight to it and the film really starts off in one hell of a way and I'll just say it made me grateful I always shop on a latter time during "Black Friday". But it also satirizes in a way how easily people can put greed and vanity over what is sacred and most important in life and the deadly consequences of it.

There are some decent characters though not many stand out which to me is one drawback of the film. You have the main girl Jessica played well by Nell Verlaque who is hot and has that final girl gravatas, though I can't say very charismatic which is why she is not on my personal fav final girls list but still she gets the job done.

Though she's not perfect as like a lot of final girl characters don't always have the best judgement in people. Well ok the friends she hangs out with aren't bad it's just one person in the group Evan is clearly a poison pill; I remember half the time thinking "c'mon guys kick this guy to the curb" as he's clearly an attention getting loser, dragging everyone down.

This sort of increases suspense because you know from his bad behavior it means bad luck which also increases the killer's chances of nailing them all. Though it also adds to the morality of the film in choosing your friends carefully.

She is a bit sympathetic as she is dealing with issues from having a new stepmom a little too soon let alone isn't so good, a new relationship she is getting into, as well as heavy guilt of "Black Friday" despite the fact she wasn't totally responsible (mainly it was Evan another reason I hate that guy) but still it's one of those feelings why you can't help but think, why did I have to do that and if I didn't do that it probably would never of happened.

There are these two supporting characters who are fun despite the fact they're not in the film that much. Both are brothers, one looks like the typical geek but what I like about him is he takes crap from no one especially when people don't uphold their end of a contract. The other is the older brother who is sort of an arms dealer. There is one hilarious moment with him when there are this group of youngsters/posers who want to get into the party, and he just kicks them out; all I can say to that is serves them right only actually cool people are allowed.

Of course, do like the killer who is close to iconic status from his pilgrim outfit and the John Carver mask that looks a little creepy. And yes, you can say some of the scheme and methodology does take cues from "Scream" but same came be said about a lot of other slashers taking cues from the film before it; nothing new but does everything right.

The film has plenty of gore effects for gore hounds just sniffing for some, which of course means plenty of kills, some that are memorable. I won't say too much as seeing them yourself is part of the joy, but I'll just say one kill that's a favorite of mine is the table saw kill.

That one I really like the gore effect on it; however, it also really got to me because it's based on the common fear of power tools going array on us. I'll admit even though I know how to use one, you still can't help but feel a little nervous seeing and hearing the spinning blade so close yet so far from you.

And of course, I really like the Thanksgiving parade which I thought was cool showing how a joyful celebration can easily turn into total carnage in a heartbeat.

But I really like the suspense in the film as there is the classic who dunnit as well as some sticky suspenseful situations. Of course, one of the most memorable and on my favorites list for me is the dinner table scene, where it's gross (believe it or not actually puts me off eating poultry for a little while), gruesome but also blackly funny all at the same time.

However, in that scene it's the common sticky situation where you know our main protagonist is in deep crap and if she doesn't MacGyver her way out, she's dead meat literally; can she find a way out you just have to wait and see.

And I simply like the setting and atmosphere; from the fact it takes place not just ironically in Plimoth, Massachusetts but also just a small town, which of course we know in horror is always a Killzone. But the small-town setting just has a little of that sense of familiarity as it looks like the kind of town you either lived in or been to.

Also, the weather which is fall weather which I like as it's cool but not too cool it's sort of at a reasonable comfortable temperature which in a way gives the film almost a cozy vibe. Which fits not just with the season but helps in giving you a relaxed feel at the right time to catch you completely off guard.

This is another holiday horror that makes the cut, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Rating: 3 stars.

This is another entry in the under the radar video series, but it's also sort of one of my favorite films for the "Halloween" holiday season. Alright, the film doesn't take place during October but from what goes on in the theater from the costumes, setting and atmosphere in the theater it really gives off those "Halloween" festive vibes which is why I count it.

It's understandable why this film went under the radar as it was barely advertised much, kind of just flew by faster than a corn kernel can pop. But simply another victim of bad timing as the 80's decade was over which also meant the same for the slasher genre. However, like any late blooming corn kernel, as time went on this film has pop to become a sleeper cult gem.

I do like the story which in a way is a bit ahead of its time as it sort of predates films like "Scream" and "Matinee" which isn't a horror film (and a story for another time) but this film you can say is that same movie if it was made into a horror.

Though it's really the slasher arena of choice that is what makes the film for me; and that is the fact it all takes place in a movie theater. Which to me is cool and it's something I don't see much in the horror genre except the film "Demons" (film I reviewed), so it's kind of to me a breath of fresh air when they use an arena never utilized much. Let alone it really gives the film sort of that meta vibe as it's basically a horror film within a horror film.

The plot is simple like most slashers; I do like there is a certain amount of depth which helps the film stand out but also gives the situation in the film weight.

But like with most to all films in the slasher genre we're here for the kills, setting, and fun and this film delivers on all three.

There are some good decent characters, like the female protagonist played well by one of my favorites and under the radar scream queens Jill Schoelen.

Yeah, she was another of my celeb crushes, she's cute almost looks and even sounds a bit like actress Winoma Rider but not. Heck what she's wearing the film looks like the kind of outfits that actress would wear.

Anyway, I like her character as she's relatable to me anyway, as she's an aspiring film maker. I really like that she's got a tape recorder with her to do an audio journal on certain dreams and ideas she has that she can possibly make a future movie out of; I do that myself as even I always have ideas blooming.

But also, her character is sympathetic from her traumatic past she's dealing with which of course ties into the plot of the film, this of course is key in solving the mystery of both her past and the identity of the killer. And she had better solve it soon as her life is already getting close to that final reel where anything can happen.

The horror villain is solid I wouldn't say he quite makes iconic status in my book but still does well all the same. In a way he's sort of the evil version of pulp hero "Darkman", like him his face is unrecognizable. He's clever and crafty as he makes a lot of masks for himself, to look like other people and is practically a chameleon from how well he performs.

Even like how over the top he acts which makes sense as he's a psycho after all so his behavior would be out of sorts. It's kind of fun and funny because of certain colorful lines he delivers, but it also adds to his menace because it just shows this guy clearly doesn't run with a full reel.

The film has some good decent kills; I wouldn't say anything that stands out which to me is one drawback of the film. But that didn't bother me as it was really in the films suspense that is the most memorable and one of the highlights of the film for me. My favorite suspenseful moment is seeing the killer about to commit a murder on stage which of course is for reals, but everyone thinks it's part of the show. And it's of course up to her boyfriend to save her, but the big questions are he makes it and will his luck change in time, you'll have to wait and see.

Even like other things from the Jamaican music from a band that plays in the half time of the film festival, I thought was a nice fun tune and makes sense as the film was filmed in Jamaica. But I just really love the theater and its Halloween-like atmosphere, and from a lot of the costumes and other decorations I see, I wanted to be at this festival.

Of course, the other highlight of the film for me are those fake B movie films the audiences watches. Each of them is fun and funny, they look and feel like they could have existed. Seeing all three of them I wouldn't mind if a horror anthology was made based on the B movies; though there was one called "Chillerama" another under the radar gem and one I reviewed.

Each of those fake B movies have a distinct feel and are based on a specific genre. From the first film which is "Mosquito" which is obviously a parody on all the big monster 50's B movies. Not just did I love the black and white, wonderfully bad acting but also the fact you saw certain blood effects in that film that you wouldn't be able to see in those kinds of films which I'll admit surprised me.

The other film is "The Electric Man" which in a way is kind of uncannily like the horror film "Shocker" (another under the radar gem and story for another time) which of course played the same year as this movie. It's funny just seeing the bad guy just has this non worried look on his face and as he passes by the cells, a lot of the prisoners are polite telling him goodbye which is something I thought I'd never see.

So, if you're looking for any other vintage films in the slasher genre, "Popcorn" is worth popping in and taking a bite.

Rating: 3 stars.