Quarantine

"Quarantine" (2008, John Erick Dowdle, Screen Gems, Vertigo Entertainment, Andale Pictures) is the American remake of 2007's found footage film, "REC".


Duplicating the story, we follow Angela (Jennifer Carpenter) and her crew who are filming a documentary about the lives of a Fire Crew for their news station. When they get a call out, Angela and her camera man tag along, excited to get some action on film. They are called to an apartment building which has been locked down with everyone inside, due to the unusual behaviour of one of the tenants which is suspected to be some kind of virus. The Fire Crew and Camera Crew enter, along with some police but soon find themselves also locked in the building as it is quarantined to contain whatever the hell is going on in there. Soon they are all fighting for survival amongst a horde of infected friends and neighbours... while being sniped down from the outside, barring any hope of escape...


An unnecessary remake that didn't do much other than recreate the original concept scene for scene but in English. The film does have some great effects (that ankle scene) and Carpenter gives an amicable performance as our some-parts terrified, some-parts sassy protagonist.


All in all, the film is well made and enjoyable, but I'd be more inclined to watch Rec above it if given the choice.

[Image: Screen Gems]

Hani

Dead Heat

"Dead Heat" (1988, Mark Goldblatt, New World Pictures) is a horror comedy.

Detectives Roger Mortis (Treat Williams) and Doug Bigelow (Joe Piscopo) are investigating an unusual robbery at a jewellery store where two of the robbers, having been killed by police, are found to be people who had already had autopsies completed on them previously... by the same police morgue coroner.

Following the chemical clues from the bodies, the Detectives find themselves involved in a science fiction plot where one of them will become the living dead! In a race against time to decomposition, the team must try to take down the evil corporation bringing the dead back to life.

A fun, daft film which doesn't try to be more than what it is and enjoys a lot of pseudoscience, cheesy fight scenes (including the oddest fight scene involving freshly butchered animal carcasses ever) and a small cameo from Vincent Price.

[Image: New World Pictures]

Hani

Summer of '84

"Summer of '84" (2018, François Simard, Anouk Whissell, Yoann-Karl Whissell, Brightlight Pictures, Gunpowder & Sky) is an homage to the '80s.

Following on from the nostalgia laden genius of "Stranger Things", "Summer of '84" brings in elements of many of the 80s' genre greats including: "The Goonies", "The Monster Squad", "Fright Night", "Stand By Me" and "The 'Burbs". And while it doesn't quite match up to Stranger Things' fine crafted blend of nostalgia and pacing, it was far from a bad film.

We meet teenager, Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere), and his friends, Dale "Woody" Woodworth (Caleb Emery), Tommy "Eats" Eaton (Judah Lewis) and Curtis Farraday (Cory Gruter-Andrew). They decide to follow their own investigation into a local kidnapping spree and their suspicions lead them to Davey's neighbour; police officer Wayne Mackey (Rich Sommer).

The boys begin hunting for evidence that the jovial Mackey is actually harbouring a deep, dark secret. But they'll face challenges on the way... and possibly some serious repercussions.

A fun film that suffers from a few pacing issues but enjoys some serious jolts, a gripping ending and a believable recreation of the era. The characters have enough quirks and backstory to keep them feeling rounded, and the plot keeps a good sense of mystery where one minute we think the lads are right on track and the next we think they may be making a huge mistake.

Pleasant viewing with a bit of darkness around the edges.

[Image: Gunpowder & Sky, et al]

Hani 

The Traveler

"The Traveler" (2010, Michael Oblowitz, Hollywood Media Bridge, Front Street Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures).

On Christmas Eve, a stranger calling himself "Mr. Nobody" (Val Kilmer) enters a police station and confesses to 6 murders that haven't happened yet.

Creepy and atmospheric I was pleasantly surprised, but it's admittedly a bit of a one trick pony and the effects aren't much to write home about.

Val Kilmer is the epitome of creepy, however, giving an excellent performance as our eerie antagonist.

A bit contrived in places, but quite a simple tale that's sole appeal is the moody, dark feeling. Although the film is terribly paced and begins to unravel slightly as time lapses.

A couple of random techniques such as slow motion action scenes get a little old after a while, and the fake rain effect is a unnatural looking. They also spent way too long showing flashbacks of the same situations unfolding again and again. I wasn't sure if they were trying to be symbolic, presumed the audience had short attention spans or whether they'd just ran out of plot to fill out the rest of the film, but it seemed to flog the dead horse a little.

Not the best, but I've definitely sat through worse!

[Image: Front Street Pictures]

Hani

The Raid

"The Raid" aka "The Raid: Redemption" (2011, Gareth Evans, PT. Merantau Films, XYZ Films, Celluloid Nightmares, Sony Picture Classics, Stage 6 Films) is an Indonesian martial arts film that will have you squirming in your seat!

I went in thinking this film would not get a mention on this blog since it's not really horror, but I after seeing it... well...

A group of special forces cops go in to the run-down apartment block owned by a notorious crime lord to flush him out and shut down his operation. Unfortunately for them, not only is the gang aware of their presence, but every terrified tenant in the place is willing to murder a cop to get free accommodation for life.

Brutal, fast and full of action that keeps you riveted rather than becoming dull, The Raid is a roller-coaster ride of violence and expert choreography. A very impressive film that is unapologetic about its brutal fight scenes and OTT kills. Excellent fun but far from taxing on the brain in terms of plot.

[Image: Merantau Films]

Hani

Bloody Cuts : Death Scenes

"Death Scenes" (2013, Joel Morgan, Ben Franklin, www.bloodycuts.co.uk) is another of the fantastic online British horror anthology, Bloody Cuts.

At only 7 and a bit minutes long I have to commend them on fitting so much in!

A detective is interrogating a suspect. The suspect remains silent throughout the detective's monologue giving a nice feeling of building dread as all of his gruesome murders are explained (and shown). Finally, he speaks up and a fun twist makes for some more lovely gore!

Really fun, well put together and worth your time!

[Image: www.bloodycuts.co.uk]

Hani