Nightbooks

 "Nightbooks" (2021, David Yarovesky, Ghost House Pictures, MXN Entertainment, Catchlight Studios, Netflix) is a fun horror for kids based on the book by J.A. White.

Alex (Winslow Fegley) is a young horror fan who likes to write his own scary stories. After a disappointing horror themed birthday party, he swears never to write a scary story again and takes his notebooks down to the building's basement with the intention of burning them in the furnace. However, en route he discovers a mysterious floor of the building and enters a strange apartment, which turns out to be owned by a witch called Natacha (Krysten Ritter), who holds him prisoner and tells him he must tell her a scary story each night or else! 

While the witch sleeps, Alex and his fellow captive, Yazmin (Lidya Jewett), who has been stuck in the witch's apartment acting as her housemaid for several years, attempt to find a way to escape and unlock some interesting secrets along the way.

A fun horror aimed at kids, "Nightbooks" delivers some festive scares and action as well as some important messages about wandering into stranger's apartments. Yazmin and Alex learn to work together through the film to try and outwit the evil witch.

Sporting some great effects and a rather terrifying magic cat, "Nightbooks" is sure to appeal to young horror fans in the making and is a fun adventure for adults, too. A welcome entry to the annual Halloween countdown and somewhat reminiscent of other great kids' horrors such as "The Monster Squad" (1987).

[Image: Ghost House Pictures, et al]

Hani

Willy's Wonderland

 "Willy's Wonderland" (2021, Kevin Lewis, Landmark Studio Group, Baffin Media Ltd., Saturn Films, JD Entertainment, Landafar Entertainment).

A man of few, or actually no, words (Nicolas Cage) takes a job as a janitor at an abandoned family entertainment restaurant called "Willy's Wonderland" in order to pay for repairs to his car which have left him otherwise stranded in a small American town. 

The restaurant hosts some dilapidated animatronics including Willy the Weasel, Arty Alligator, Cammy Chameleon, Ozzie Ostrich, Tito Turtle, Knighty Knight, Gus Gorilla, and Siren Sara. The Janitor begins his long night shift taking short breaks to play a pinball machine and drink some energy drinks as well as occasionally change shirt. But it isn't long before he comes to learn that the animatronic animals are alive and blood thirsty.

After doing battle with one of the animatronics, the Janitor goes dutifully back to his chores, but is soon interrupted by a group of teens lead by Liv (Emily Tosta) who is hellbent on ending Willy's Wonderland's blight on the small town after her own ill-fated experience at the restaurant. 

Extremely reminiscent of the "Five Nights at Freddy's" games (which, if you're unfamiliar, are definitely worth seeking out), "Willy's Wonderland" couples an industrious protagonist just trying to do his job in spite of a menagerie of killer animatronics, with perhaps, understandably, a little less intrigue than the games. 

The premise is fun and Cage delivers an entertaining performance as the silent, straight faced Janitor, just dealing with things as they come up. 

The action does become a little samey and perhaps 8 animatronics was a little many, however, the film doesn't outstay its welcome at 88 minutes of run time and certainly delivers a fun and innovative collection of kills. 

Definitely worth checking out. 

[Image: Saturn Films, et al]

Hani

PG: Psycho Goreman

"PG: Psycho Goreman" (2020, Steven Kostanski, Raven Banner Entertainment, RLJE Films, Shudder) is a Canadian horror comedy. 

Two kids; the Tyrannical Mimi (Nita-Josee Hanna) and her browbeaten older brother, Luke (Owen Myre); accidentally release a murderous intergalactic warrior called The Duke of Nightmares (played by Matthew Ninaber and voiced by Steven Vlahos), whom Mimi renames Psycho Goreman or "PG" for short (much to PG's chagrin).

Finding that, with the crystal taken from PG's prison cell, they have control over the deadly alien, a relentless Mimi, anxious Luke and their soon-to-be-regretful friend, Alastair, proceed to have some wacky, gruesome fun as well as introducing PG to Luke and Mimi's hilarious parents (Adam Brooks and Alexis Hancey). However, a group of equally entertaining hunters from PG's home planet of Gigax are now hunting PG down. Will the plucky kids help their murderous friend evade retribution? Will they find out if PG has a taste for hunky boys? Only time will tell!

A hilarious, ridiculous, gooey and tastelessly wild ride. PG will win you over with sarcasm and violence, and amazingly Power Rangers-chic practical effects. I had the best time! Easily my favourite film of 2021 so far.

[Image: Raven Banner Entertainment, et al]

Hani

Vampires vs. The Bronx

"Vampires vs. The Bronx" (2020, Osmany Rodriguez, Broadway Video, Caviar, Netflix) is a coming of age vampire comedy set in The Bronx neighbourhood of New York City.

Miguel (Jaden Michael), Bobby (Gerald W. Jones III) and Luis (Gregory Diaz IV) are three friends living in The Bronx. Aside from the usual troubles of girls, overbearing mothers and bullies, the kids are trying to arrange a block party to raise funds to save their local shop and favourite hangout from being shut down and gentrified by a vampiric real estate agency called Murnau Enterprises (a nod to F. W. Murnau; director of the 1922 classic "Nosferatu") who it turns out, are more vampiric than the kids know.... being run by actual vampires...

After Miguel witnesses someone being eaten, the race begins to put a stop to the Murnau company's evil plans, while trying to avoid being eaten themselves! 

A charming film with a 12 rating, so you know going in to expect minimal actual scares. The actors give a great performance as our three protagonists; funny, sweet and characters you want to root for. They are supported by a fun and energetic cast of other characters and the film does a good job of setting up the community feeling of the neighbourhood and its inhabitants. The vampires are cartoonishly ghoulish and possibly rely a little too heavily on the ol' Max Schreck hand gimmick, but fit in with the fun tone of the film.

Definitely a bit of fun just in time for Halloween, and hopefully a film that will attract young potential horror fans with its humour, charm and vampires!

 [Image: Netflix et al]

Hani

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers

"Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers" (1988, Michael A. Simpson, Double Helix Films) is the sequel to "Sleepaway Camp".

Angela (Pamela Springsteen) has supposedly reformed after her murder-spree at Camp Arawak 8 years prior and has opted to continue to identify as female. Having assumed a different surname, she has become one of the camp counsellors at Camp Rolling Hills. However, Angela is constantly disappointed in her campers and colleagues' behaviour... soon she's back to her old slasher ways!

Springsteen takes up the mantel of Angela from Felissa Rose from the original film. The young adult Angela is an enjoyable antagonist. She's funny, sneaky, a bit nerdy and violent. Plus she enjoys a good sing-a-long.

The sequel enjoys a lot more action than the original, and we are treated to some of Angela's witty slasher repartee and some homages to other slashers of the time. There's some fun gore and the film is certainly more of a comedy satirical horror than the original was, but is definitely bingeable as a double feature.

I feel Angela deserves more recognition as a slasher killer!

[Image: Double Helix Films]

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 

Garbage Pail Kids

"Garbage Pail Kids" (1987, Rod Amateau, Atlantic Entertainment Group, Topps Chewing Gum, Atlantic Releasing Corporation) is the live action movie based on the popular 80s parody trading cards.

A spaceship shaped like a metal trashcan somehow ends up under the protection of an antiques shop owner, Captain Manzini (Anthony Newley). It's never really explained how this comes to be. Manzini befriends a local kid called Dodger (Mackenzie Astin) who is getting relentlessly bullied by a group of older teens who look old enough to have mortgages. Dodger accidentally sets the garbage pail kids free during a scuffle with the bullies in the store, introducing us to seven of the kids: Greaser Greg (Phil Fondacaro & Jim Cummings). Valerie Vomit (Debbie Lee Carrington), Ali Gator (Kevin Thompson), Foul Phil (Robert Bell & Chloe Amateau), Nat Nerd (Larry Green & Jim Cummings), Windy Winston (Arturo Gil) and Messy Tessie (Sue Rossitto & Teri Benaron).

Together, Dodger and the gruesome kids attempt to help the girlfriend of one of Dodger's bullies on whom he has a crush. But Dodger is soon to learn that ugliness is not always on the outside...

A cheesy film full of disturbing puppets and toilet humour. It boasts a pretty flimsy plot and a sing-song that goes on way too long. I'm not sure what kind of bet Newley lost to be in this film, but I have to say that it kind of gives me a different kind of respect for him, really.

A film so bad that you just have to shake your head and wonder who the target audience really was. On one hand it is definitely not the kind of film most parents would want their kids to watch and on the other its humour does not really appeal to most adults. A really strange concept by all standards.

[Image: Atlantic Entertainment, et al]

Hani

Calibre

"Calibre" (2018, Matt Palmer, Wellington Films, Netflix) is a thriller set in the Scottish Highlands.

Marcus (Martin McCann) takes his friend Vaughn (Jack Lowden) hunting in the highlands to celebrate Vaughn's recent good news. Vaughn has never hunted before and is not exactly keen to kill an animal, but Marcus thinks it will be good for him. When they reach the small village in which they are staying they enjoy a heavy night of drinking and manage to make some impressions on the locals; some good impressions, but not all...

The next day both men are faced with a life changing tragedy. Their attempts to carry on as normal are thwarted and eventually they are forced to face up to the consequences of their actions.

A really superbly made film that is not only atmospheric, but dark, daring and engaging. Our protagonists are well rounded characters with flaws and plans and personality. Our villagers are not just two dimensional characters either, with an almost "American Werewolf in London" meets "The Wickerman" vibe that sets you on edge. Of particular interest is the character of Logan (Tony Curran) who shows the city boys understanding, but is not to be taken lightly.

The film provides some shocking action that will leave you feeling a little empty and haunted afterwards. Much like the other recent genre great, "Hereditary", this film makes you think. With scenes that are expertly crafted with the use of silence being as important as good scripting and skilled use of the highlands setting which can be as ominous as it is breathtaking.

None of the characters are 'the baddies'. Everyone has shades of grey and a very human mix of good and bad intentions. The outcome of the tragedies in this film are neither justice nor injustice and none of the characters give the impression of getting to move on comfortably with their lives.

An excellent piece that is definitely worthy of your time and will question your own morals and sense of selfishness.

Thanks for the recommendation, Stephen King!

[Image: Wellington Films]

Hani 

The Babysitter

"The Babysitter" (2017, McG, Netflix) is a comedy horror with plenty of gore.


Cole (Judah Lewis) is a 12 year old kid who gets bullied a lot at school. His only solace is that his babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving), is super hot and pretty cool. And she also plays down the part where she's his babysitter. When his parents go on a weekend away, Cole creeps out of bed to spy on Bee and her friends having a party in the living room, but he soon discovers that the teens are up to something much worse than drinking alcohol.... human sacrifice. Can Cole get over his crippling fear of, well, everything in time to save himself? And will he finally get his first ever kiss? Only time will tell in this gory flick.


While it's far from a genre-defining, ground breaking innovation, the film delivers exactly what it needs to; humour, gore and a host of disposable characters who get to die in a bunch of gruesome ways. Our collection of would-be Satan worshippers cover all the usual stereotypical bases (eg. jock, cheerleader, etc...). Only Bee and Cole truly stand out as characters who break stereotype.


The film spends a good while setting up the relationship between Bee and Cole. He fancies her. He's awkward. She's easy going and a little wild. Cole tells Bee all of his secrets, while unbeknownst to him, she uses this against him any way that she can.


When the murder and mayhem begin the film does not scrimp on the gore and we see a lot of innovative kill scenes which expertly mix humour and ick-factor without becoming too silly.
Gore aside, the film also makes use of interesting camera perspective, a lot of 80s-feeling tropes (despite being based in present day) and just enough character depth to instil a sense of betrayal from Bee when we find out her intentions.


All in all, I found "The Babysitter" to be a fun and worthwhile watch which I've even revisited on occasion.

[Image: Netflix]

Hani

Sometimes They Come Back

"Sometimes They Come Back" (1991, Tom McLoughlin) is a horror thriller based on a short story by Stephen King.

Jim Norman (Tim Matheson) is a high school history teacher who has returned to his home town 27 years after the brutal killing of his elder brother, Wayne (Chris Demetral), at the hands of older bullies, who also died that day. He has accepted a job at the local high school and brought his wife, Sally (Brooke Adams), and young son, Scott (Robert Hy Gorman) with him. Upon moving back into his childhood home, he begins to hear and see spooky things. Things that remind him of that terrible day in his past. However, when some new students enter his class; kids that he recognises, kids who he remembers from his past, who can't possibly be really there, he realises that things aren't as they appear.

The film is undeniably cheesy, but manages a distinct charm and covers some pretty sad themes. The acting is pretty solid and, as much as it has that 'movie of the week' feel to it, I enjoyed it. The plot uses a lot of flashbacks but they are well paced throughout, teasing the backstory without getting too samey. And the antics of the murderous, ghostly, teen gang were entertaining, if dark.

Hani