Leviathan80 Reviews

The Green Inferno (2013)

Give it at least half an hour

[6/10 · 1 December 2015]

I was unimpressed in the first 30 minutes. The acting was bad, the effects were cheap, and I was wondering how this even made it to a major release. After 30 minutes however, I was sucked right in. Everything suddenly became better, and I was experiencing the horror of everything with the people who were right there. After seeing it I realized the film was rather unique. The screenplay, the music, the behaviors and acting, the lack of subtitles and dialogue from the natives, everything was a very unique experience. I left horrified and you will to, beware ! I would compare this to the blare witch, a low budget project which proved to be a success.

The Perfect Husband (2014)

Smart, great indie horror that deserves more

[7/10 · 1 December 2015]

I caught the trailer a couple of months ago and it looked interesting even if it looked like something that I've seen before. Having seen this movie, it ended up being a very well done psychological thriller with good atmosphere, great acting, and some well done suspense.

Good: I like how subtle this movie approached the story. The first 30 minutes or so are a bit slow. It helped set the premise and develop the characters making them a strange couple with a family tragedy. Things starts to slowly unravel and the suspense is handled well with some great dread building throughout the movie. Then the horror starts and it is intense and rather freaky.

Mother of Tears (2007)

I can't believe it - Dario Argento is dead

[1/10 · 28 November 2015]

Mother of Tears has to be in my top 10 most unintentionally funny movies of all time. There is not a single moment of this movie that isn't injected with cheese, and then when you're not laughing at how cheesy it is, the movie is typical and boring. The directing could have been done by any intern film student, and your average high school creative writing class student could have written the unimaginative story in a coma. The majority of the movie plays out a lot like a boring thriller that can't thrill, with lots of phone calls and lots of shots of Asia running down the street. If I had to guess, I'd say probably twenty full minutes of the runtime is nothing but the camera watching Asia's back as she runs from something. Though Asia herself did okay in the lead role—and me saying that is VERY generous—every single other actor seemed just to want us to laugh at them. The witches reminded me more of horny, brain-dead teenage girls who just want to get home and get high. That's supposed to be scary? Ha! Sorry, I call that cheese.

I was never a fan of Suspiria. It was boring, uncreative, the kills were downright stupid, and it still had those unintentionally laughable scenes that I assume Argento seems to think his audience can take seriously. With that said, Argento at least understood how to direct with Suspiria. Mother of Tears, as I said, is even less imaginative and even more boring. It's essentially Harry Potter, minus the entertainment value and the creativity. I'd even go as far as to say Harry Potter can even carry a more mature/serious tone than Mother of Tears, which is just pathetic.

If Argento took the gore out of this movie, it would essentially be a children's movie. With that said, the gore isn't even anything special. Sure, it's a tad over-the-top, but it's nothing that going to shock you because it's just generic. Limbs cut off, guts torn out, throats slit—eh. Seen it all a hundred times. If that's Argento at his most shocking, once again, Argento is pathetic. The gore really isn't that extreme in the first place, and the gore scenes are few and far between. At least Argento isn't a pansy and cuts the camera away during gore scenes like so many other directors—though the gore isn't anything special or disturbing, I give him that much. He has enough balls not to cut the camera away, unlike pansy Eli Roth.

In the end, if you're into cheese-horror that isn't scary, you've come to the right place. However, if you're like me and actually wish more of the horror genre was intelligent and actually had true gore/scares, I don't know how you can sit through this.

Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

More of a thriller than horror

[7/10 · 28 November 2015]

It was my first Insidious movie and my date tried telling me the premise of the first two but I told her to just let me watch it and enjoy. She was a lot more frightened by the scares in it than I was. There we're however a few chilling parts that made me jump, but it's hard to tell if it was the movie scaring me, or the reactions from others in the theater. Either way it was a fun movie to see and where I probably won't need to see it a second time, I'm still happy enough with this piece of work. I will also say as far as the acting goes, I was happy with most everyone in it excluding Dylan Mcdermot. His character didn't seem believable and at times I was laughing at him. I know he can act ad he's the only person in the movie with many movies under his belt that I have seen him in, but this was not his shining moment. The girl that plays Quinn however is really cute and does her part extremely well.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014)

Second Best Paranormal Activity in the series.

[7/10 · 28 November 2015]

When I went to watch this movie, I didn't really had much expectations about this. The first half of this movie may seem boring to some. But after that there's a hell of a ride. I was just awestruck about the making of this movie, everything looked so real. It's hard to imagine how it is directed. This movie doesn't target it's audience to jump out of their seats often, but to make them just freeze like ice due to sheer terror. I would have given it a perfect 10 rating if this movie's characters have spoken just a bit slower. But like all the PA movies, this also have an ending that makes you say, "Oh God". After this movie, I surely am going to watch the next sequel. I hope they are even better.

Insidious (I) (2010)

Promising start but intensity spoiled half way through by unoriginal tropes and poorly conceived images.

[5/10 · 28 November 2015]

Insidious is one of those movies I avoided. I don't jump on fads. I am very hipster when things don't fit into my nerd realm. That goes hardcore for movies. Insidious was one of those scary movies that came out and blew up. I hated this trend of the next scary movie banking at the box office when my idea of real horror was passed over. It seemed like every year there was a new scary movie or a sequel to a new scary movie. They were all a year or two years apart. Have to bank on that hype right? Right from the start I was going in with a negative sense of view. But I thought that if I was watching it then there was something about it that appealed to me. The film stars Patrick Wilson and Rose Bryne as loving parents who start experiencing odd occurrences in their new home. When the events escalate they move to a new house and realize there is something more involved. It's a haunted house story with a 'twist'. From the start of the film you can tell even with the budget James Wan as a director is talented.

It is the exact duo that brought us the Saw franchise. James Wan is behind the lens with Leigh Whannell writing and acting. Technically the film looks great. There are some inventive shots and the ending haunt is staged very well. But the story feel like it's been done before. There are all sorts of elements from multiple haunted house films. If a film could be called a mash up I would give this film that title. Wilson and Bryne do their best with that they have. The story fails them. When things start to ramp up everything of the why is explained by a newly emerged character.

There is a back story to why this is all happen. This is not explained until nearly the end of the film. It's newly introduced characters that wrap up everything in a nice tight package. Some of the back story is shown but not much. It would have been nice if these piece of the story were scattered throughout the entire film. I wasn't really scared as the 'boo' scares weren't stage that well. It was more of putting things for the audience to jump instead of building tension. The most entertaining and well executed sequence was the ending.

There was a nice twist at the end that on it's own would have sat very well. But knowing that there is a sequel comes off as strategically place for a sequel to be made. There is just too much hype surround this film and for me it didn't (never had the chance) to live up to it. Seeing Sinister and The Conjuring (from James Wan) I know there are good haunted house films out there that live up to the hype. I can only describe this film with a quote taken from a user on Reddit, "I think the reason so many people like it and praise it is because it is so bland; it feels safe. It's the movie the average moviegoer can go to, not get too scared, but still say that they love a horror movie." Well said.

Poltergeist (2015)

Not bad... Could of been so much better though.

[6/10 · 28 November 2015]

OK let's get this out of the way - it's a remake and the original film is a classic. That's not to say you shouldn't remake it. In fact I was looking forward to see how they would do it now technology has moved on in leaps and bounds. So here goes: The storyline is pretty faithful to the original. OK all of the characters are different and the strangely-voiced medium is now and Irish man (I think that was the accent - it varied a lot!). But, as another reviewer said, the original film sustained menace throughout whilst this one stops and starts a lot. That would be OK but the horror jolts aren't particularly scary. Yes the tree bit is done with CGI so it looks a lot better. The tearing-face scene is given a miss (shame - a favourite of mine - would have loved to have seen that CGI'd). The trip through the world behind the closet wasn't scary either. Lots of CGI that had no feeling of reality. And, at the end, the 'coming out of the ground' bodies bit was over in a flash and they didn't do anything! No coffins bursting out of the ground. No chasing people. Shame. They kept in the bit about the houses being built on a graveyard and then we find out (calmly) that the bodies weren't moved. The original made that scene really powerful with the father arguing with the developer over the fact that he saved money by simply moving the headstones, not the bodies. Again the suspense was lost in the new version. The actors did OK but no-one shone through. The little girl didn't have the screen presence needed for her brief times in the film. Even her delivery of the film's famous catchphrase: They're here! was muted. Somehow I got the feeling that it was all toned down - for a family audience? For a lower rating? Isn't it a horror film? Hmmmmm.... 35 minutes in before the first scary bit actually happened (the leg being pulled into the floor). It has been said that the original dove into the supernatural action too quickly and that may have been true, but this version left me wishing for a fast forward button at times. So now you're asking: did he like any of it? Well it was good to see a remake and the effects have certainly improved. I applaud that they stuck quite faithfully to the original plot line (with small exceptions). I think it is good that people should have a go at a new slant on an old film. Some can work very successfully (the latest Planet of the Apes films) while others can be awful (The Day The Earth Stood Still). But that's no reason not to try. I think this film falls in between the two examples given and was enjoyable but without the pace and the.....well.....horror....of the original. I'd catch it again on TV.

Oculus (2013)

Fun and original

[28 November 2015]

THANKFULLY, WWE just simply invested money into it. Not one wrestler is in the cast, there's no mention of WWE, and there's only one very subtle nod to the wrestling company. WWE's involvement was the only reason I dismissed the movie for so long... With that out of the way, what we have left is an interesting spin on the old cursed inanimate object premise that is linked to mysterious and gruesome deaths. The film revolves around a mirror, the Lasser Glass. I've looked into it, there aren't many cursed or haunted mirrors in the world but there's at least one famous case at the Myrtles Plantation. A simple Google search of Myrtles Plantation Mirror, you'll get a plethora of obscured photos of the famed mirror. Apparently it holds the spirits of Sara Woodruff and her two children. Claw marks and hand prints are said to be seen, as if the children were trying to escape it. The plantation itself is considered one of the most haunted places in America. Anyway... back to Oculus. It's actually a revenge film. The object has already worked its magic on our main characters, Kaylie and Tim, siblings. They encountered the mirror as kids, when it hung in their father's office. It drove their parents to insanity, eventually causing Tim to shoot his father. Tim was sent to an institution where he spent the rest of his childhood and teenage years being counseled. Kaylie was sent to foster care, where she meticulously researched the mirror. This plot line unfolds simultaneously with the present plot line; Kaylie has set up an elaborate revenge scheme that will prove her brother's innocence, her parent's wrongful death, the mirror's supernatural power, and finally the destruction of the mirror. Will it work? Karen Gillan (Not Another Happy Ending, Doctor Who) brings a powerful performance to the film as adult Kaylie Russell. At first I was like "That's not Jennifer Lawrence?!", but it doesn't take long for Gillan to win you over with her character's intense confidence and focus. She perfectly narrates the mystique of the mirror throughout the first half. Many times it influences Kaylie and Tim, but its more wondrous than scary in the beginning, which is very Spielbergy. Brenton Thwaites (Maleficent, Home and away) plays adult Tim Russell. At first his role is more annoying, the character that dismisses obvious supernatural occurrences with logic and reasoning. Tim is a weaker character at first, saying very little and mostly he dismisses Kaylie's research and testing. We begin to see more of his true character as the mental walls he built from years of counseling start to break down, leading to a powerful performance by the end. Brilliant casting in this film! Even the kid versions of Kaylie and Tim were watchable. I typically hate horror films that put kids in prominent roles, but it was passable here due to their limited screen time. Mike Flanagan wraps production in under a month with only a $5 million budget. All I can say is, wow! Oculus offers very clever storytelling and strong performances from a good cast, leading to less expensive special effects to keep audiences hooked. Flanagan proves that simple and easy is still a cost effective method in a time of movie budgets up and over $100 million! Oculus comes from the same mold of Insidious (2010) and Paranormal Activity (2007); Blumhouse Productions. So its okay to watch a WWE film as long as Blumhouse is attached. The movie is a must see if you've enjoyed the Insidious and Paranormal franchises. It offers something different and is a solid movie with a used but still rich premise. I am looking forward to Oculus 2, and this time they've got my $20 movie ticket on opening night!

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Mr. Lilcookie's Spoiler Free Advise on whom should watch this

[8/10 · 28 November 2015]

the first thing that i will say is that this film is very unique and is sort of a parody or homage to almost every genre of horror films ever made. You can not really take this film seriously. It is a parody but it is not the kind of Parody where its all funny and has tons of stupid jokes in it. It is a serious film but you could still see obvious nods to other films. I am not a big fan of horror films. i have not seen many but i saw this one because it is such a unique film and i'm getting bored of seeing films that are obviously made to be like a film that has already been made. You don't have to be a fan of horror films. you could be like me where u don't care for horror films. you should see this one because it is so original and because it has very strange plot twists. I personally dislike most horror films but like i said this is not really a horror film at all. it is a parody of them.

Sinister (I) (2012)

Sinister is very unsettling and definitely left with me.

[6/10 · 28 November 2015]

I am usually disappointed when I see a film which came with very high expectations. However, I must make an exception to "Sinister." I had heard very good things about this film making it a must-see for a horror movie fan like me. However, I had to be out of the country during the days it was shown in the theaters locally last month, so I only got to watch it now. And these high expectations were fulfilled. "Sinister" is indeed a very good horror film. In fact, I will go on to say that it was one of the best American horror films ever made.

Ellison (Ethan Hawke in his first appearance in a horror film) is an author of true crime novels who is seeking to follow up his one hit book. He moves his family into the very home where a gruesome family massacre had previously taken place. When he discovers a box of film reels which turned out to be video footage documenting the deaths of several families, his research turns into a real life horror for him and his family.

The eerie and tense atmosphere is set up from the very first scene where we see four people hanging from a tree. It never let up from there up to the bloody end. OK, there are horror clichés here like the house in seemingly perpetual darkness, or the sudden scares that lead nowhere, creepy children drawing on walls, and so on, but in this movie, these things actually work well to work up the audience's heart rates and goosebumps. The music is pulsating as it is unsettling, very effective to work you up some more with every step that Ellison takes in the house.

I liked the way that the gore was suggested instead of blatant. I liked the subtlety of many of its scare moments. I liked the way that Ethan Hawke realistically portrayed the tormented but desperate Ellison. A male protagonist is not always as easy to play in a horror film than a female one. I like the ending, how it may seem that you can figure out what is going to happen in the end, but the way it played out was pretty out-of-the-box disturbing and ultimately, shocking. I highly recommend horror film fans to watch "Sinister." It is as it is entitled.

It Follows (2014)

Good movie

[8/10 · 28 November 2015]

This isn't going to be a long review. It doesn't need to be. Premise- after an odd encounter, "it" is now following Jamie. What is "it", what does "it" want? Maybe you'll find out, maybe you won't. Here's what I can tell you. The most effective soundtrack in a film in the past 10 years. Incredible cinematography, performances were understated in a way, but in a very good way that adds to the eerie ness of the whole film. The entire 100 minute run time had a claustrophobic feeling that makes you always wonder where "it" is. I can't think of a single thing I would do differently if this were my movie. 10/10. If you are looking for a horror film that won't disappoint you, this is it.

The Conjuring (2013)

Pleasantly surprised

[9/10 · 28 November 2015]

The Conjuring, a 2013 horror film directed by James Wan was based on the true events recorded by Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970's. The story sees a family experience supernatural occurrences shortly after they move into a new farmhouse. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson put forth a fantastic performance playing the Warrens alongside Lilli Taylor and Ron Livingston who played Carolyn and Rodger Perron.

Usually I have no real interest in watching films that are based on 'true events' as most seem to be overly dramatic and obviously fake. However, The Conjuring is by far my favorite horror film of 2013, the storyline was far-fetched (a witched who cursed the land possess the mother to kill the child) but at the same time was made to be very believable, I think this is partly because of all the marketing that the film put forth before release, these included 3 trailers and a featurette, which included the real family that the case studies where based on and an interview with Lorraine Warren. Most films that happen to be based on true events always turn out to be a hoax, Paranormal Activity for example claimed to be based on actual experiences when it was first brought out but then carried on to make numerous films and killed the original buzz of it being 'real'. Although, The Conjuring sequel that is being talked about may actually, like Paranormal Activity, ruin the 'buzz' if the storyline carried out to much.

There was a big focus on the Annabelle doll that featured in a few of the trailers and the opening scene of the movie. I must criticize the movie on this note because I think that this was really irrelevant, I know that there is talk for a spin off film based around the Annabelle doll but again I think this how no real relevance to the film itself. All in all I think the film is definitely worth a watch if you're a thrill seeker and love a good horror film! Thumbs up to James Wan on this film!

Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

Great!!

[28 November 2015]

I saw some families bringing small kids for the movie, they kept screaming throughout. My friend was scared too. The "ghosts" or whatever was a lot freakier than I thought. And the movie was funny too! Lastly, I find it amazing that both the director and the composer acted in the movie. You have to watch this, this is better than all the other horror movies this year. It is better than Insidious 1 and 2 because it had none of the irritating parents. I liked the dysfunctional family and touching drama. And the actors who were really good and young--these are real teenagers portraying teens. So all in all, well done directors!