my thoughts on.... 'In Fear'

Every once in a while, you want a movie that's a slow burner. A movie that takes it's time and is simple in it's execution. There is a time and a place for a slap you upside the head, movie going experience. There's other times where you want to savor the mood, the background, the characters and the tone. 'In Fear' was one of those movies. This is one that you sit back, turn the lights off and just sink yourself deep into the world presented.

This is a fairly small budgeted thriller. It basically features a cast of three. Our two main characters and their tormentor. But what it lacks in actor's and big budget explosions, it makes up for in beautifully shot landscapes and the pure feeling of claustrophobia while driving through the winding roads. You never know when something will hit you upside the head. You aren't ever quite sure what's real and what's being imagined in our main characters paranoid minds. It makes you feel like you're almost there with them. However, it's the basic premise and low-fi approach to things, which is what creates a unique movie going experience. You keep expecting for the curtain to open up and reveal the master plan.... but it never happens. It feels like something is humming under the surface and that at any moment something horrible will happen.... but it all just ends up being simple. That's what made me love this that much more. There's no need to have a franchise building, main villain or a giant demon possessed monster pulling the strings of our hero's. It's just 3 people put into a situation that they have to decide how to get out of alive.

The simple storyline here is this, a couple are on their way to a hotel out in the middle of nowehere. This will lead into a music festival that they wish to attend. A nice get away for the two of them and a chance at a romantic weekend. While stopped at a pub on the way, they have a run in that creates drama. They leave, unaware of what that simple action has created. Soon, they're making their way down winding back roads and thinking all is right with the world. However, as the day wears on and the roads continue to keep winding and they don't seem to be getting anywhere, they realize.... something is terribly wrong. It's not immediately obvious to them. At first it seems like human error, then maybe something more, then maybe something supernatural and eventually they start to wonder if the harmless incident at the pub has come back to haunt them. It keeps getting progressivly worse, until it all culminates in a confrontation with the source of their fear. That's about it.... without giving away the milk for free, if you know what I mean?

Overall, it's a wonderfully refreshing feeling to come into a movie that takes you by surprise. One that crept in under the radar and punched you in the back of the head. I was really taken for an unexpected ride. One that was both amazing to look at and one that didn't require a lot of big effects or storyline. Something that plays on some of our basest fears. Those of being lost, hunted and unsure of where to turn when you're all out of options. No cell phone. You're running out of gas. Everything you knew is still right there in front of you, but you can't find it. This hit all the right chords and made me ride a roller coaster of real world emotions. I would highly recommend this to those of you who like your horror simple, slow burning and without all the bad guys with a gimmick. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. If I had one complaint, it would be the ending. Not that it was bad or unsatisfying. It just felt a bit short sighted. Too simple. I'm not sure what other way it could have ended, but it seems like there was a bit more that needed to be there. A little more padding. All in all, a diamond in the rough and something that I would recommend to any horror fan looking for something just a little bit different.

If you like this, I'm not sure what else to recommend. It's really kind of it's own thing.

my brief thoughts on.... 'Isolation'

i remember the first time i saw the man eating cow in 'The Tick' comic book way back in the early 90's.... however, i never thought i'd see a movie that kind of portrayed that character in real life.... but this little Irish movie took that idea a bit and brought it to a whole different level.... granted there are no man eating cows.... but their are cows that kill.... and this ties together with the other review i put up here for 'Black Sheep' (2006).... it was my "Farmland Massacre" double feature.... right off the bat, i have to say that this movie is extremely well done.... it's old school special effects, no CGI.... it's a true creature feature like from the days of old.... the last one i saw that was similar to this was the movie 'Splinter'.... that's one of the reasons i give this movie a lot of props.... it was very gooey and gory and full of nasty bits.... all of it done by someone in a workshop.... not on a computer.... and i can really respect that.... it's just not done that much anymore.... and i also give this movie a lot of credit for originality.... i can honestly say that i've never heard of this premise, never seen anything similar, it's unique.... just for that reason it's worth it to watch it.... not too mention, the directing and cinematography and actors are great.... it's a very brooding and dark, gritty film.... and yes, it's about cows.

the story revolves around a single farmer who has agreed to have a cow of his experimented on by an outside group.... they're trying to create more fertile cows to increase production for milk, food, etc.... so basically the intentions are good.... however, something goes terribly wrong.... the cow that they're testing on is pregnant and the calf bites more than one person in utero and once it's out.... because of this, they have to kill the cow and eventually the mother.... but while examining the calf, they realize it was pregnant too.... soon after this, all hell breaks loose on the farm as people begin dying one after another.... it becomes a massacre....
i just happened across this movie on accident.... it was mentioned in a review for 'Black Sheep' (2006).... and was recommended as a follow up or tie in to the other movie.... and luckily it was OnDemand, so while i had 'Black Sheep' rented i could watch this one too.... i really recommend that you watch this.... as it's something you can see that's totally new.... it's a very fresh feeling movie.... i don't know why more people haven't heard of it.... it's one of those little gems that you have to hear about from word of mouth.... now, i've mentioned several times that there are cows and killing in this, but what does the killing is a cow in a way.... but it's something much more horrific in reality.... and the final act of the movie you really can feel the tension of the whole situation and it's got it's tense and scary moments.... it's a very effective movie.... and i tip my hat to the director and writer for creating such a tight little movie.... i gave it 3 out of 5 stars with a slight edging towards 4.... however, it may take another viewing before it pushes me over the edge.... you may think differently.... regardless.... add it to the queue and check it out.... maybe have some milk and cookies while watching it.

other films like this: 'Alien', 'Black Sheep' (2006)and 'Splinter'

my thoughts on.... 'Dead Meat'

Irish zombies. that should be enough to get your attention.... that's what this little gem of a movie is.... an Irish zombie film.... and not a bad little one at that.... for a no budget horror film.... it vaguely reminds me of 'Bad Taste', Peter Jackson's first film.... entertaining and clever, but you can tell it was all friends and family involved and the effects were done in someone's garage.... with oatmeal, water, flour and corn syrup.... however, it doesn't really take too much away from this movie....

the story is simple.... almost a copycat of 'Night of the Living Dead'.... boy and girl in car come across corpse.... corpse bites man, woman runs.... woman finds other man who helps her.... they find more people to join in their little band of survivors.... and blood and guts are chewed.... sounds pretty familiar, right....? but i'll say it again, don't let that take too much away from this movie.... it deserves an audience....
the characters are likeable.... you can tell someone put a lot of heart into the making of the movie.... the locations are beautiful and green.... the zombies are pretty well done.... and you gotta love the couple that they join up with that sound like Brad Pitt in 'Snatch'.... i couldn't understand one damn word they said other than the 'F' bomb.... and that was dropped quite a bit.... i'm not 100% sure i would give this as high of reviews as i am if it wasn't for them.... they added a nice twist....
oh, did i mention that the zombies were created due to a strain of mad cow disease....? and that there are zombie cows....?!?! how could i forget that....?

all in all, worth a beer and a bit of your time.... who knows.... maybe the director will be as big as Peter Jackson became and you can say you knew who he was back when he directed 'Dead Meat'.... i'll give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.... i'm taking some of my love away due to the ending.... it was a bit too abrupt.... check it out via Netflix OnDemand while you can.... and if Fangoria puts there stamp of approval on it, you don't even have to take just my word.... i've got back up.... man do i love me some zombies....!

if you enjoy this movie, check out: 'Bad Taste', 'Dead Alive' and 'Undead'