Dethcharm's reviews

VAMPIRE'S KISS is the perfect Nicolas Cage movie. Those familiar with Mr. Cage's career, know that his particular talents are on full display here. He plays a man named Peter Loew, who - allegedly - encounters a beautiful vampire (Jennifer "Flashdance" Beals), and slowly becomes one himself, while completely unraveling mentally.

The result is a glorious performance, to say the least!

He yells. He screams. He jumps. He contorts. He gyrates. He becomes a living cartoon character!

Watching as he destroys his own apartment is a revelation!

You simply MUST see / hear Loew recite the alphabet to his psychiatrist! And, it just gets better from this point!

No one on God's green Earth can go bug-eyed quite like Mr. Cage! No one! In fact, he even eats a bug! A cockroach! The man truly suffers for his art!

The big question with this film has always been: Is he really turning into a vampire, or is he crazy? Actually, it hardly matters. It's all about Nicolas Cage, and his rare gift.

Special mention must go to Ms. Maria Conchita Alonso as Loew's assistant. She bears most of the brunt of his antics.

WARNING: Nothing can possibly prepare you for the final 40 minutes of this film!

Well, except for, perhaps, some LSD...

THE UNTAMED is that rare horror film that actually brings something different to the table. Very different. On its face it's a drama about a married couple, filled with domestic strife and violence. But, at its heart, it's a tragedy, playing with themes such as loneliness, unfulfilled love, and addiction.

It's also a Lovecraftian nightmare.

Alejandra (Ruth Ramos) goes through the motions of her marriage to her vile, pig of a husband, Angel (Jesus Meza). Her life is a stale, deadening existence. One day, through strange circumstances, Alejandra meets a friend of her brother, named Veronica (Simone Bucio), who takes her to a place where she will be changed forever.

Of course, This is no fairy tale, so, things take a turn into the bizarre, and the disturbing.

Yes, there is nudity, as well as a few - somewhat - graphic sexual situations, but they are essential to the plot, and used in ways that are far from titillating.

If you lament the fact that there just aren't many original ideas anymore, this movie might restore your confidence...

Directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury take us back in time, to the 1950s-60s. Those days of innocence and... the Sawyer family.

LEATHERFACE is a prequel that shows what led up to the horrific events of Tobe Hooper's gruesome masterpiece. While nothing can top the original TCM, this movie does unveil a believable backstory. There's plenty of obligatory gore, and some rather twisted scenes, including a disgusting "threesome" in a trailer. The splatter-rich finale will satisfy true gorehounds.

Special mention must be made of the great Lili Taylor as the relentless Verna. Her "motherly love" will send a shiver up the stoutest spine! Stephen Dorff is also good as the vengeful Sheriff Hartman.

Bloody great cinema for the carnage connoisseur...

THE SOUL EATER opens with two police Detectives, Gardiano and de Rolan (Virginie Lodoyen and Paul Hamy), who are investigating the same brutal crime scene, a double homicide that raises more questions than answers. The facts of the case defy any logic or sanity.

Directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury keep things mysterious and foreboding, using folklore / local legend to add an overall sense of creeping dread. When we're shown what is really going on, it's a complete surprise.

There's a good mixture of police procedural drama and horror, culminating in a finale with an unexpected twist.

While not the Directors' best movie, it is a satisfying offering, and worth watching...

In FREAKS, a man (Emile Hirsch) and his young daughter, Chloe (Lexy Kolker) live in a house that is set up like a fortress. The girl is not allowed outside, and dad seems to be mentally unstable. There is also a dreamlike quality that makes it difficult to figure out what's going on. All we can tell is that dad could be holding his daughter prisoner.

However, things are not at all what they appear to be.

Directors Lipovsky and Stein let their film reveal its secrets slowly, until we find ourselves in an exciting paranormal / sci-fi drama.

Ms. Kolker is outstanding in her central role, playing Chloe as a believable 7 year-old kid caught up in unbelievable circumstances. She is reminiscent of Drew Barrymore in FIRESTARTER, or Sissy Spacek in CARRIE. She's THAT good!

Amanda crew is also good as Chloe's mom, and special mention must be made of Bruce Dern as the mysterious ice cream man...

In CAVEAT, Isaac (Johnny French) gets a job offer that seems pretty straightforward. His friend, Moe (Ben Caplan), just wants him to spend a week "babysitting" a troubled young woman named Olga (Leila Sykes), in her remote home. Unfortunately, after Isaac agrees to do it, he slowly discovers that Moe has left out a great deal of valuable information about what is actually involved.

This is a quiet, slow-building horror film that gives up its secrets gradually. What it lacks in explosive action and jump scares, it more than makes up for in overall creepiness and encroaching dread. There are some genuinely frightening scenes, especially toward the end. The supernatural is certainly at play, but in a subtle, bone-chilling way.

The single, confined location and closed-in atmosphere are assets, helping to keep the claustrophobia and paranoia levels high.

A solid movie for fear fans...

First of all, RIVER starts off in such a way that it's very important to NOT know anything about it going in. It is strongly advised that you don't read / see / hear any spoilers! Otherwise, you'll ruin one of the best early twists ever created in any show, ever!

Stellan Skarsgard is DI John River, a cop with a keen instinct, a somber demeanor, and a bit of mental illness. Well, okay, more than a bit. River is involved in two cases at once. One involving a possible criminal enterprise, and the other having to do with a murder. As he delves deeper into these crimes, many clues are uncovered, and dark secrets are revealed.

What makes this show so effective is its cold, yet poignant atmosphere, as well as Mr. Skarsgard's magnificent performance. The episodes are tense, exciting, and mysterious. Nicola Walker brings a much-needed warmth to the proceedings as DS Jackie "Stevie" Stevenson. Her character is essential. Lesley Manville is well-cast as River's beleaguered boss, Chrissie Read.

River's psychological state is played in a way that adds a lot to the drama. It also gives us a sense that we are close to entering into supernatural territory. Luckily, this is never overdone.

RIVER is a superior police procedural with a unique, fascinating central character, and an engaging, evolving storyline...

TOUCHING EVIL certainly lives up to its title. Every episode in this perfectly-dark series is haunted by the damaged, the deranged, and the diabolical. The crimes range from the creepy to the disturbing, even shocking. So, don't expect an easy ride!

The plots are intricate, and involving. The OSC (Organised and Serial Crimes) Unit deals only with the most heinous of crimes / criminals. Along the way, there are several twists and jaw-dropping turns, sometimes involving the cops themselves.

What makes it all work are the central characters, DI David Creegan (Robson Green) and DI Susan Taylor (Nicola Walker), who play well off of each other, whether in total agreement, or in conflict. Their chemistry and mutual respect are the heart of the show.

Mr. Green plays Creegan with an odd, quirky sensibility, imbued with an incredible insight into the killers he tracks. In fact, his role is the natural setup for his future run in WIRE IN THE BLOOD. There are a lot of similarities between Creegan and Dr. Tony Hill, in a good way!

Are you still reading this? Go watch TOUCHING EVIL right now!...

WIRE IN THE BLOOD is the wonderfully dark, British TV series, based on the book series by Val McDermid. Robson Green is Dr. Tony Hill, the Behavioral Psychologist called in to assist police with their investigations into serial murder cases. DCI Carol Jordan (Hermione Norris), and her team, enlist Tony's peculiar talents in order to broaden their perspective.

Dr. Hill is an oddly endearing character, whose innate ability to see inside the killers he tracks, stems from his own personality quirks and social ineptitude.

This is one of those shows that starts out strong, and remains solid throughout its run, even after Ms. Norris' character is inexplicably replaced mid-series (!). Thankfully, her replacement, DI Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib), is more than up to the job. In fact, for various reasons, WIRE IN THE BLOOD actually gets better / creepier during the later seasons, especially when the sinister Dr. Michael Bryant (Jolyon Baker) is introduced.

If you like police procedurals with a colder edge, then you've just struck gold...

HAGAZUSSA has everything going for it: A bleak, dreary atmosphere of increasing dread, mixed with a subtle, almost poetic style. The spacious cinematography captures the vastness of the Alps, making the main character, Albrun (Aleksandra Cwen), seem all the more isolated.

On its surface, it's a story of witches, set in the desolate, yet beautiful mountains of 15th Century Austria. It's also about abandonment, survival, betrayal, and revenge.

Many compare it to THE WITCH, but these films are two completely different takes on similar subject matter. One thing they do share however, is the way they leave it up to the viewer to decide whether the story's events are truly supernatural, psychological, or a mixture of both.

This is a quiet, disturbing movie, with very sparse dialogue. Most of the more chilling bits are saved for the final third. While it is well made and thoroughly dark, it's probably not for everyone...

The three things that make THE WRETCHED work are:

#1 - A very likeable, non-idiotic main character.

#2 - A fierce, legitimately terrifying / threatening monster.

#3 - Well-used practical effects.

This movie is a sort of throwback to the 1980s - early 90s, meaning that it mixes "Teen movie" and horror elements, and does so in a satisfying way.

Ben (John-Paul Howard) arrives at his father's house, on a visit, after his parents' recent divorce. He's barely settled in before something happens to the neighbors next door, related to a horrific incident from the film's opening. Ben is quickly drawn into the bizarre goings-on, and begins sleuthing around for clues.

The rest is a creepy mystery, where the viewer and Ben know a lot about what's happening, while most of the other characters are completely oblivious.

The Pierce Brothers (Writers / Directors) have made the best of a smaller budget, and the only critique would be that the story could have been fleshed out a bit more, but that might have been impossible due to the budgetary constraints.

Overall, a solid effort that's worth watching...

SATOR is a true labor of love for Director / Writer / Producer / Editor / Cameraman / Everything else, Jordan Graham. With barely any money, he manages to successfully maintain a sense of suffocating gloom for 90 minutes.

Others have mentioned the cinematography, and it is breathtaking, especially the later, winter scenes. The night sequences are outstanding, and make us feel like something will drag us into the darkness at any moment.

The story is about a family that has been cursed by the demonic force of the title, causing madness and death. Gabriel Nicholson plays Adam, a nearly silent role. He's living in a deep-woods cabin (built by Graham!), haunted by malevolent spirits. Meanwhile, his grandmother (June Peterson) and the rest of the family deal with their shattered lives.

Speaking of grandma, Ms. Peterson is the Director's real Grandmother, and the things she does and talks about in this movie are from her own experiences. This adds some authenticity to the proceedings.

Some have mentioned the slow pace and issues with the plot. Yes, there are some problems, but not enough to take away from the overall terror.

If you enjoy a solid, creepy film that wears its bleakness like a shroud, then look no further!...

In YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE, Joaquin Phoenix is Joe, a man on a mission. He is a rescuer of abducted children, who will do whatever it takes to save them. Throughout, we are shown quick flashbacks of Joe's life, both as a young boy, and in the military. As the story unfolds, we learn that Joe has experienced things that have brought him to where he is now.

Very disturbing things.

Mr. Phoenix has a real knack for living his roles, and becoming his characters. Joe is a quiet man doing what he is driven to do. This comes through in every motion and expression. The ease with which Mr. Phoenix plays this part seems effortless and absolutely genuine.

Think of this film as a tranquil, contemplative tale, interrupted by spurts of extreme violence. There is only enough dialogue to stitch scenes together, so that we can follow them. The short running time flies by, but it never feels rushed or too abrupt.

Director Lynne Ramsay certainly knows how to make the best of every minute!

Worth repeat viewings...

Director Freddie Francis' NIGHTMARE has a lot going for it. Written by the great Jimmy Sangster, it's a suspenseful thriller, loaded with horror elements and trippy dream sequences. It's one of those movies that keeps you wondering if what seems to be happening is actually real.

Young Janet (Jennie Linden) returns from her posh boarding school, to her palatial home, only to find herself in the middle of some extremely bizarre circumstances. When the muders begin, Janet starts to question her own sanity. We do smell a rat early on, but it's hard to pin down, making the rest of the film an unfolding mystery.

This is an excellent creeper from Mr. Francis, and the cast is exceptional, with David Knight playing Janet's enigmatic uncle, and Moira Redmond as Janet's visiting "helper".

One of the best of the early Hammer films...

Director Robert Eggers' NOSFERATU is a cold, dark, yet ultimately redemptive, take on the Dracula legend. Cinematically, it falls in line nicely among the other versions of the story (Murnau's 1922, and Herzog's 1979).

Once again, Mr. Eggers' attention to detail convincingly recreates the time period. His washed-out color scheme helps to keep the mood somber, and the shadows deep.

Bill Skarsgard's Count Orlock is bestial and demonic, like a hulking, Carpathian monster. His voice rumbles like a demigod, as he sets out to fulfill his blood-drenched desire. Ellen, the object of The Count's hunger, is played by Lily-Rose Depp, who captures both the innocence and the internal conflict of the character.

All of the major points of the story are covered well, and the ending is satisfying. If you enjoy effective vampire movies, then this one is a must...

Well, Art The Clown (David Howard Thornton) is back, and his taste for insane carnage has only increased since TERRIFIER 2. It's Christmas time, and something is definitely stirring, creeping, and killing in brutal, messy ways.

TERRIFIER 3 is Director Damien Leone's best, bloodiest installment yet, featuring even more madness and mayhem than his first two films. Art is joined by a horrifying accomplice, making things far more disturbing. In addition to an extremely high, gore level, Mr. Leone adds some unsettling touches that just might make you squirm a little. Among them, are the children involved, as well as religious references, that prove that in this dark universe, no one is safe, and nothing is sacred!

Lauren LaVera returns as Sienna. She's moved in with her Aunt and Uncle, just in time for the soon-to-be hellish holidays.

The continuation of the mythology surrounding Art and Sienna helps to flesh things out, revealing more details about Sienna's history, and her inevitable confrontation with her nemesis.

The story is a nice continuation, the practical gore effects are suitably disgusting, and Art succeeds once again with his tricky balance between disturbing bleakness and hilarity.

After watching T3, I was immediately looking forward to TERRIFIER 4. Yes, it's THAT good...

PRIME SUSPECT jumps right out of the gate as we follow a group of male detectives, led by their boistrous leader. Enter Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison, who is brought into the midst of these cowboy cops, after one of the most unexpected twists in any show, ever!

Tennison must take the reins, and use her wits to solve a series of grisly murders, all while being opposed by the grumbling men on her team. Chief among them is DS Otley (Tom Bell), who believes that DSI Tennison is nothing more than a troublemaker, out to destroy the reputation of his former boss.

This leads to some tension, and obstruction, but adds greatly to the overall drama.

Ms. Mirren is stellar, and carries most of the series, as we watch her take on her case load and attempt to have a private life. Her dedication to her job is beyond admirable, and she certainly suffers for it.

All seven seasons of the show are engaging and intelligent, as well as thrilling. We are taken along with Tennison during her highs and lows, watching her triumphs and defeats. She is a very human character with flaws, one in particular that could bring her entire career to a crashing halt.

One of the all-time, greatest British cop shows...

Just rewatched this entire series, and it was just as good as the first time. David Jason's DI Frost is a character that draws us in right from the start. He's a man who was born to be a cop, at the expense of any sort of personal life. His dedication to solving crimes is total.

Mr. Jason plays Frost as a rather irritable, yet likeable man, who is driven to crack every case, far more than any of his peers, much to the chagrin of his boss, the clueless Supt. Mullett (Bruce Alexander).

Throughout the series (1-15), we watch as Frost is saddled with a cavalcade of new partners, each one getting under his skin in various ways. This often adds some humor to the proceedings.

Each episode contains two cases, going on more-or-less simultaneously. See-sawing between them keeps things moving. All 15 seasons are solid, and the two-part finale is the perfect ending.

If you enjoy mysteries, police procedurals, or just damned good dramas, you can't go wrong with A TOUCH OF FROST...

GHOSTS ON THE LOOSE is for the East Side Kids fan, who also loves Bela Lugosi. The Kids are at their goofy, ridiculous best, while Mr. Lugosi remains nearly expressionless throughout the film. He's in it for only a relatively few scenes.

The story consists of a nefarious plot by those pesky Nazis, augmented by the Kids falling victim to a big misunderstanding.

Hilarity ensues.

Warning: You might get a bad case of whiplash, as everyone spends much of the film's running time going back-and-forth between two houses, moving furniture, and being silly. Of course, Mugs and Gimpy (Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall) garner most of the laughs.

Worth a late-late night watch...

THE NIGHT THE WORLD EXPLODED is an apocalyptic, sci-fi / disaster film that manages to be entertaining in spite of its miniscule budget.

Dr. Conway (William Leslie) and his dedicated assistant / love interest, Laura Hutchinson (Kathryn Grant), have created a machine that can detect upcoming earthquakes. What seems like a godsend, soon becomes a doomsayer, when its prediction shows seismic activity that could wipe out the planet.

There are some similarities between this movie and THE MONOLITH MONSTERS. Both are stories about menacing minerals, but there are enough differences to make them enjoyable on their own merits.

Mr. Leslie and Ms. Grant play their roles with just the right amount of 1950s-style melodrama.

Add this lesser-known gem to your 50s sci-fi list...

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN is told mostly through flashbacks, from the point of view of Eva (Tilda Swinton), during the aftermath of a horrific event. As the story unfolds, we learn about her early life with her psychopathic son, Kevin, and her oblivious husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly).

Maddeningly, we watch as Kevin manipulates Eva, while Franklin bobbles in and out, completely unaware. Of course, as Kevin grows up, his behavior doesn't exactly improve. Well, in a sense it does, as Kevin gets better at being evil. When Eva gives birth to a girl, things get even worse.

Ms. Swinton's portrayal of Eva is heartbreaking, taking her through levels of emotional pain that seem unendurable. As for Ezra Miller's Kevin, he is simply terrifying, one of the better psychopathic characters in cinema. The child actors who play the younger versions of Kevin are also quite good.

An interesting aspect of this film is the Director's use of the color red, which is in almost every scene. It foreshadows the devastating finale.

Though listed as a thriller, there are plenty of horror elements as well...

Started watching THE FALL, due to being a huge fan of Gillian Anderson. She doesn't disappoint here, putting in an exceptional performance as DSU Stella Gibson, brought in from London to head up a serial murder investigation in Belfast. The killer's identity is made quite clear from the beginning, as we witness his gruesome, disturbing crimes against his female victims. Jamie Dornan is absolutely terrifying as the vile, sadistic Paul Spector.

The first two seasons are about the cat-and-mouse between Gibson and Spector, along with the lives of those around these two central characters. Loaded with suspense, drama, and mystery, it plays out as one of the best police procedurals ever made. The action shifts back and forth between them, as the police gather evidence, and Spector grows increasingly more bold in his crimes

Season Three is different, picking up after the cliff-hanging ending of Season Two. It starts off like a really good medical drama, morphing into a deeper, more contemplative story that digs into the personalities of both Gibson and Spector, in some rather uncomfortable ways. There are some surprising, even shocking twists, that make the finale a true jaw-dropper. If you are a British / UK cop show junkie, or just love a superior cop show, then you can't go wrong here...

Dark, bleak, and haunting, HANNIBAL takes Thomas Harris' RED DRAGON, and turns it into an epic, unforgettable horror-thriller series.

Season one introduces us to the main characters through a string of grisly murders that the FBI must investigate. Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) is the grim, gifted instructor, called into active duty, due to his innate ability to put himself in the killer's place, giving him an almost supernatural view of the crime scene(s), and what actually happened. Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) is the lead agent, who brings Will in on the case. Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) is the brilliant, consulting psychiatrist. Mikkelsen plays him with icy precision and class.

The next two seasons take us deeper into the relationship between Will, Jack, Hannibal, and Dr. Alana Bloom (Caroline Dhavernas), with Gillian Anderson along for good measure, as the rather mysterious Dr. Du Maurier. Things get increasingly twisted and bizarre, as Dr. Lecter becomes more devilish by the minute!

Season three is especially interesting, as the first half of it takes on a more arty, cinematic style, with more surreal touches added. It has a much slower pace, taking its time with the storyline. Fans of the movie versions of HANNIBAL and RED DRAGON should really enjoy the part with the despicable Mason Verger (Joe Anderson), as well as the second half with Richard Armitage doing a masterful job as the terrifying, yet somewhat sympathetic, Francis Dolarhyde.

Also, throughout the show, Raul Esparza plays a wonderfully slimy Dr. Chilton, and Lara Jean Chorostecki is everyone's favorite tabloid reporter, Freddie Lounds. Eddie Izzard deserves special mention for his serious portrayal of the maniacal Dr. Gideon.

HANNIBAL is one of the best offerings of its kind, playing more like one long movie than a series. Full of shocks, surprises, and gore, yet so well done that it's all just part of the fun.

Solidly binge-worthy and addictive...

In CAULDRON OF BLOOD, a photojournalist (Jean-Pierre Aumont) travels to Spain to cover a story about a famous, blind sculptor (Boris Karloff). The title comes into play as a very gruesome tool, utilized by the artist's sinister sister (Viveca Lindfors).

Filmed toward the end of Mr. Karloff's storied career, his health was in decline, but, all things considered, he puts in a fine performance. Playing a rather vulnerable character, he is unaware of the utter wickedness of his sibling. For her part, Ms. Lindfors is fantastic! She comes across as a sadistic psychopath with a definite flair for fashion.

While a bit disjointed and slow in spots, this movie does have its high points, especially toward the end.

Worth a watch, particularly for fans of Mr. Karloff...

INVITED is a "Found Footage" horror film about a family watching a Zoom wedding, only to slowly realize that something very wrong is happening. At first, it seems like everything is alright, aside from the typical family squabbling. The bride's mother, Linda (Martina Schabron) is battling alcoholism, and trying to get past the damage she has done. Nothing could prepare her for what is about to unfold on her computer screen!

Because we are watching a Zoom event, we might wonder how it could possibly contain any real thrills or chills. Well, wonder no more! As the family begins questioning just what it is that their loved one is marrying into, it all grows more ominous, until the truly jaw-dropping, absolutely berserk, final third!

Now, while not perfect, this movie does pack a wallop, and makes the best of its lower budget and limited sets.

A worthy entry in its subgenre...