Darkness876 Reviews

Riding the Bullet (2004)

A great film, but a poor horror movie

[7/10 · 17 August 2005]

I haven't read the book, nor had i seen any sort of promotion for this film when a friend popped it into my DVD player. I know Stephen King has written novels which arnet of the genre "horror" but, this one definitely presents itself as a horror flick, especially with its DVD menu. If that is what your looking for (a film to scare you and keep you on the edge) i can tell you that this isn't it. As a horror movie, its very weak, even boring and fails to terrify the audience so if thats what your looking for pass this by.

However, as a "drama" this film is exceptional. Mainly because King writes his characters so well. Thats what this film is about, its a character study showing the internal quest of a young man who is unsatisfied with life. Really, its about finding a will to live.

The beginning of the film in my opinion contains one of the most disturbing scenes caught on film and it certainly left an impact on me, as did the films dark atmosphere. But, after the main character attempts suicide (the scene i was talking about) the film really isn't scary and it shouldn't be labeled as a scary film.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this film was straight to video, so it has a low budget feel to it, sorta like a TV movie. The acting is good but the actors are nobody's (yes David Arquette is a nobody too).

So, in conclusion, if your looking for a film to investigate the mind of a character and his internal struggle, rent this movie. If you liked the book, rent this movie. But if you just want a mindless good time, stay away from this film. Maybe i suggest Candyman? or IT? instead.

Cheers

Brainscan (1994)

A brilliant depiction of ones inner evil... (spoilers)

[9/10 · 24 December 2003]

Edward Furlong is an averge guy that lives a rough life. His mother died when he was a kid in a car crash that left him with a limp. His father is never around and he only has one friend, a guy named Kyle. Who helps him organize a horror movie club at his school. All he wants is for the girl across the street to notice him, but he realizes she never will. Fed up with his isolated life he often retreats to virtual reality games and upon hearing about a new game called Brainscan he can't resist.

The first time he plays it he has to kill someone in it and he does. Only to wake up and find that the random guy he iced really died and the foot he kept as a souveiner is in his freezer! As if this were not enough a freaky guy comes out of his TV, telling him he is his guide. This is the Trickster.

Trying to prove that the game is evil he films himself the next time he plays. only this time he does not remember anything once the level ends. But he finds that he actually killed his only friend Kyle and freaks out. Surprise Surprise the girl he likes shows up at his house, dropping off this Hw. He also notices that she had been taking pictures of him as he had been doing the same and realizes that she likes him.

After another game. He reaches the final disk however the task here is that he must kill his crush.

(Major Spoilers ahead)

He almost does but says he cant and the Trickster comes to do it for him. He battles the Trickster and the Trickster kills him.

But here is one of the best endings of any film. Furlong wakes up and realizes that from the time he put in the first disk to now he had been in the game, none of that had happended! Only 2 hours have passed! he is pretty excited about that. He even goes and asks out the girl he likes, she however turns him down. But before he can leave he notices a stack of pics like the ones in the game.

The next day Furlong brings in the Brainscan disk and gives it to his principal. The one who had banned the horror club. And the Trickster pops out, to haunt the principal...

This was a great movie. Excellent acting especially by Furlong who is awesome. The movie is about exploring inner demons and desires. The game allows Furlong to kill and bring out his anger but it also nurtures his crush. When the game ends you can tell it had a big effect on him.

This movie is pretty scary and disturbing but its also funny and action packed. So give it a shot!

9/10

Brainscan (1994)

A great Horror/comedy (spoilers)

[9/10 · 10 October 2003]

Ill admit there is a lot of flaws with this movie, but i can't help but love it. Edward Furlong gives an excellent performance as a young teenager who compensates for his loneliness by playing violent video games, until one gets a little to real. The video game entitled Brain Scan has the player commit murders which then occur in the real world and a mascot for the game named the Trickster (excellent performance) ensures that one plays the game correctly. The film is a horror flick no doubt but it also has all the aspects that make teen horror flicks great such as a love intrest, humor and relatable characters. If you wanna see a horror/scifi flick tonight rent this one cause its a real winner just don't expect a sopisticated thriller.

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991)

Kickerboxer without Van Damme (spoilers)

[26 September 2003]

No one really seems to like this film however i think it is a solid entry. Sasha Mitchell is no Van Damme but he holds a strong screen presence and his martial arts skills are excellent. Don't expect a great plot but if you enjoyed the original Kickboxer and like martial arts this one is for you.

The plot revolves around Kurt Sloan's younger brother David who owns a gym and teaches kick boxing in an attempt to stay out of the ring. Both Kurt and Eric from the original were killed by Tong Po after the match and in this film Tong Po's managers attempt to get David to fight Po in order for Po to regain his title. The climax is a great fight and the film even if it is low budget is entertaining.

Dark Asylum (2001)

BAD MOVIE!(*Spoilers*)

[2/10 · 7 September 2003]

This movie was truly terrifying for the first ten seconds, and then you see the killer and it just goes down hill. I don't know how an unarmed 400 pound tub of lard can take out whole swat teams with automatic weapons and i really don't care. This movie was boring, predictable and downright stupid. It plays partially off of the Halloween and Friday the 13th genres with an unstoppable killer who slaughters people for fun, however the killer is unable to create any fear and is only a joke. The thin plot revolves around a killer (the trasher) who escapes captivity in an Asylum and searches for a way out. The protaginist is a doctor whose own life and the life of her daughter is put into danger by the madman, who vows to kill her daughter upon his escape. Its ironic that the killer lives in a sewer because that is where this movie belongs, don't see this movie unless you too want to end up in an Asylum.

Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

A strong entry into both series.

[6/10 · 6 September 2003]

Dracula and Wolfman's duel had everyone on the edge of there seat back in 1935. Sixty-five years later the slashers of the current generation duke it out in this bloodbath which intertwines the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street films. The film begins as a common slasher flick when Jason is resurrected to strike fear into the teenagers of Elm Street in an attempt to restore power to Freddy, who has been forgotten and trapped in hell. Jason does his job well disposing the half wit protagonists and then for the last thirty minutes dukes it out with Freddy both in the dream and real world. The film delivers what fans would expect and then some and was surprisingly entertaining for its thin plot. The kills are all in the goriest fashion and a great performance is given by Jason Ritter as Will a young adult who escapes his Asylum to save his girlfriend. I would recommend this film for fans of both series but not for those new to them. The film reveals a lot about previous films which only hardcore fans would appreciate while not being strong enought to be a stand alone film. My rating is 3.5 stars out of 5

Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)

to bsbgirl

[2/10 · 28 August 2003]

The brother who died in the original Jeepers Creepers returns in the second in the form of a vision/dream to warn the trapped teenagers of the impending danger, however his screen time is very brief. How many times have we seen this before? countless

Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)

Good for what you would expect.

[8/10 · 27 August 2003]

Ive seen a lot of bad reviews for this film and i am sick of these dorks that only give monsters ball and other films of the genre high ratings because of nudity and "good scripts". This is an action movie wit jet Li and it delivers what you would expect. Hell DMX even attempts to use martial arts and his acting is certainly improving as is Jet Li's. Combine Romeo Must Die and Exit Wounds and this is what you get. The fights are great (Jet vs the champions of UFC), the comedy is there (Tom Arnold and Anthony Anderson) and the film is certainly entertaining so if you want a mindless film with lots of action this is it. Damn Monsters ball. I give this movie a 8!