HorrorFan2013 Reviews

23 Minutes to Sunrise (2012)

An Interesting Slow-Burning Thriller

[7/10 · 31 July 2013]

Clocking in at a brief 78 minutes, 23 Minutes to Sunrise is hard to classify in terms of specific genre. It contains elements of drama, suspense, horror, and even war, as it tells the tale of the two employees and six customers of the Sunrise Diner. Although it is Eddie that is the main protagonist in the film, it is through Sheila, the diner's waitress, that we see the main interactions of the film. The moments shared between she and Eddie prove to be the strongest in the movie.

Recently returned from his second tour of Iraq and Afghanistan, Eddie is trying to piece his life together and find out what direction he wants it to take. Sheila and Eddie bond over their many late nights working together at the diner, and a deep friendship develops. But when a familiar face from his days at war shows up to the diner, all hell will break loose.

23 Minutes to Sunrise is a very engaging and interesting film that is allows for the viewer to think deeply about the past, the future, and their own view on eternal life. Adding to that is the interesting cinematography of the piece and excellent performances. Each of the actors, with perhaps a couple exceptions, brings great depth to their characters, even with a small amount of screen time.

This all makes the film sound very serious, but in fact, it is also very entertaining. Eric Robert's performance as Daniel is incredibly fun to watch. But it is Jilanne Klaus' Sheila that is the driving force of the film. She is the one figure that connects all of the characters together, allowing for both intense and intimate moments to be shared on screen.

If you are in the mood for a thriller that is a bit deeper than the usual heist film, 23 Minutes to Sunrise is one that you will want to check out. Both enjoyable and thought-provoking, it is one to look out for.

Stalked at 17 (2012 TV Movie)

A Good Melodramatic Thriller

[6/10 · 4 July 2013]

If you are a fan of a good Lifetime thriller, then this is the movie for you. It is filled to the brim with enough paternity drama, kidnapping, unexpected pregnancy, mother/daughter bonding, and adoption issues to keep you thoroughly entertained for it's brief 90 minutes. Stalked At 17, naturally based on true events, tells the story of high school student Angela who falls for 21-year-old Chad.

Chad, abandoned by his drug-addict mother, when he was four years old, has a great deal of family issues to sort out, and is clearly in no position to be starting a family of his own. When Angela becomes pregnant with Chad's child, all hell breaks loose, as Chad's aggression begins to show. Angela's parents naturally pull her away from him, only making matters worse. Will Angela and her infant son survive this disturbing affair? You'll have to check out Stalked At 17 to find out.

While the film may not be perfect in every regard, it is certainly an entertaining hour and a half, with very good performances throughout. Taylor Spreitler, who plays Angela, gives a very authentic feel to her adolescent angst, and is a very likable heroine. My favorite characters in the film however were Angela's mom, played by Amy Pietz, and Chad's adopted mom, played by Linda Purl. The films best moments are shared between these two women interacting in the hopes of protecting their children. Chuck Hittinger plays Chad's level of crazy obsession very well, although occasionally he goes a bit overboard. But this certainly does not take away from the enjoyment of the film.

Overall, Stalked At 17, is an engaging tale of regret, obsession, and deceit, with Angela and Chad both playing for keeps. If you're a fan of suspenseful Lifetime movies, you will definitely enjoy this one.

Venom (2011)

Snake-O-Vision: The Movie

[6/10 · 13 June 2013]

While there may have been an over exuberance of evil snake films in the past few years following the release of Snakes on a Plane, it is still possible for one to experience such a film with great enjoyment. That is where Venom comes in. The next time you have a pizza in the car and are hitting up the Redbox, check out this fun sci-fi flick.

As Helen and Lilly are driving through the desert, on their way to spend some quality mother-daughter time together. They mistakenly run over a snake, and don't think anything of it. Later, they run over something else, and discover that the former snake's mate is actually hunting them down. The pair becomes involved with murderous drug dealers as well, throwing more danger and excitement into the mix.

While not Oscar-bait, Venom provides a thoroughly entertaining movie for any Friday or Saturday night with the friends. The main draw of the friend is the emotional bond shared between the mother and daughter. What starts out as bitter resentment turns into a shared fight for survival.

Another way in which the film stands out from its peers is with what I will call it's "snake- o-vision," the point of view of the snake as it approaches its victims. Venom proves that it is another great addition to the films that thrive in the darkness on Saturday night. Campy and fun, Venom is one to enjoy with a large group of friends, pizza, and a couple beers.