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Piranha Sharks (2017)
Cheesy, corny, silly, funny, and -- awesome?
Can it be? Can it really be that a movie called 'Piranha Sharks' is ANYTHING but 'So bad, I can't look away'?
Yes, it can. It really can be more than that. In fact, I'd say it can actually be quite good.
Everything in the movie works to accentuate the strongest points of the film. The comedy, acting, and script. These things are on point, and if you're looking to be entertained, you want to give this one a watch. Everything else that you might 'assume' would be 'bad' -- is simply there to enhance these key attributes of the overall film.
The entire point, from beginning to end, is to have a FUN movie (so, if you're not into fun, shut the movie off and go back to your Sundance collection) -- but to have a fun movie, that also tells a story and has deep moments of character development, and interaction? You have to appreciate it for what it is. If you want to have some fun, and enjoy a script, and acting far superior to some of these other 'Sharktonadmech'- whatever movies out these days -- 'Piranha Sharks' is for you!
Dead Sea (2014)
Good movie...until...
I was super excited to watch this piece of quality cinema. I love a good monster movie. And THIS is a good monster movie -- except for the serious lack of monster in it. Whoever did the lamprey -- I'm not sure what was up there. It was almost like they didn't even have a lamprey -- very Jaws, if I do say so myself.
Anyways, besides a good monster flick, who doesn't dig a movie with a bunch of hot chicks, guns, and a story? This movie delivers! And I was stoked to watch it, up until Slagle's face popped up on screen. Now, you have to understand how terribly frightening this was. I peed my pants. Literally. Because Slagle's face came on my screen. Don't do that to me again! I'd give this movie an 8/10 -- except that it cost me a happy ending kind of night. Thanks for casting such a ridiculous actor! Whoever Directed this movie should be fired!
The Penny Dreadful Picture Show (2013)
Likely in my Top 10 of 2013...
If you like anthology movies, or enjoy quality horror and original ideas, this movie is for you.
There are 3 segments, held together by the over-arching Penny story, which was directed by Leigh. I'll start with her. Eliza Swenson NAILS it as Penny. From the moment she graces the screen, I want to see this character more. She is dreadfully underused (and that's saying a lot, considering that she got a fair amount of screen time).
Her "sidekicks", a zombie and werewolf, also help deliver some wonderfully macabre humor, throughout. All three of her guests do their roles justice. The more cliché "jock" who seems a bit too old to still be wearing his letterman's jacket. My favorite has to go to John Wells, though. As he delivers a fantastically awkward performance, where his nerves wont allow him to stop talking. Very reminiscent of many high school memories. Kind of depressingly reminiscent, actually. But in a very entertaining way. The end also ties back into the first segment, which...
Was a short directed by Everheart, "Slash in the Box." A fun little short, that I believe I've seen before, though I can't place exactly where. Either way, I like it. And it delivers both laughs and chills in a very short amount of time.
Next was a segment directed by Swenson, that I found enjoyable enough. Swenson delivered as a Director, for certain, as did the cast and concept. I simply couldn't get into the 60s vibe of it all. Maybe it's because I was born in the late 80s; perhaps because I'm just not a fan of the time period, but here you can tell that the cast and crew ARE. And for a lot of horror fans, this time period is one that deserves a great amount of respect -- and it gets it.
The final segment within the movie itself is "Slaughter House" -- Directed by the ever-controversial (at least on IMDb, it seems) Leigh Scott. This one is much more my pace, we're talking sex, blood, psychos and psychological trauma traced back to PTSD and the Vietnam War. This segment also includes the always entertaining (and extremely friendly) Sid Haig. Many people will remember Al Snow from his pro-wrestling days, as I do, but he's truly growing on me as an actor, and I've yet to see him in a performance that I didn't like. This one has laughs, but they're the kind you feel dirty for taking part in. The best kind. This segment will draw a LOT of comparison to certain movies, particularly Texas Chainsaw. And it should. Because it's on that level of quality. Plus, puts a unique spin on it, that it never feels quite like a re-hash of things we've seen for 4 decades now.
There is a bonus segment on the DVD, "The Scout" by Everheart. And you absolutely have to check it out. While "Slaughter House" was my favorite, I related much more to Scout (again, 90s kid), and the jokes and references it contained. All the young actors delivered, and deserve props for such a professional and quality job, done.
Toss in a fantastic score (Swenson pulling duties on that as well) -- solid writing, fantastic acting, and great film work, and I place Penny Dreadful right up there with, and likely even above, Trick 'R Treat.
This one will likely make my final Top 10 of the year list. And that doesn't happen often with Indies. At $10 a pop, picking this movie up is a steal. What? -- You're not at the store, yet?
Frankenstein Reborn (2005)
People hate just to hate...
Let me start by saying this: If you get the chance, check out the movie.
The writer/Director, Leigh Scott, seems to catch a lot of flack, particularly here on IMDb, and after seeing a good portion of his work now, it's unwarranted.
It struck me about half way through that there are a LOT less cuts in it, than you normally see in a movie, but here's the thing, I'm not sure this is bad Directing/lack of planning. I think it's got more to do with the turn-around time that Asylum sets, rather than "poor Directing".
The acting was above average, I'm a BIG Rhett Giles fan, after this. The man has charisma. You have gorgeous women, the majority of which are good/great actresses, too. And can any red-blooded man REALLY complain about decent amounts of nudity? It's a bonus.
I liked the monster make-up, and the sfx blood/gore was about on par with movies of this budget.
My one complaint was that it was nearly impossible to hear Rhett in the interrogation scenes, due to audio. I had to turn the TV up all the way. Still wasn't enough to take me out of it, though.
That's mostly due to an excellent script, and a lead actor that could carry it. As I said, watch the movie if you get the chance. Don't assume it's terrible based on peoples' unwarranted Leigh Scott hate, or Asylum mockbuster tales. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than a LOT of other low-budget horror flicks? Absolutely.