The Rockport Film Review

Sarah Polley Tribute 1999's "GO" by Doug Liman

2013-05-22T10:14:00.001-05:00

5/21/2013

Three years after directing the cult hit "Swingers" Doug Liman struck gold again with the hip young ensemble comedy "Go". Uniquely structured over the course of one crazy night in the lives of a bunch of young people in the city of angels.

The story follows four main characters Ronna (Sarah Polley), a supermarket cashier, who needs $300 to avoid being evicted from her apartment. Simon (Desmond Askew), Ronna's British co-worker who's is going to Las Vegas for the weekend with a few friends. Then there are Adam and Zack (Scott Wolf and Jay Mohr) a couple of gay soap opera actors who are cutting a deal with the police to help then arrest Simon who is friends with Tod (Timothy Olyphant) a local drug dealer.

The movie has a very 90s feel to it when watched today. Pagers were still big with teenagers. Raves were still cool and mysterious. This movies is like a time capsule of a time that really doesn't seem too long ago. Remember the good ole days of 1999, at the height of Y2K paranoia, and people still doing the Macarena what a time to be alive. (Yes, I'm being sarcastic if it isn't obvious). Okay so needing money in a hurry Ronna takes Simon's shift so he can go to Vegas. When Adam and Zack look to score some ecstasy from her in a sting operation she agrees. She goes to Tod to buy the stuff hoping to turn a profit when she resells it, not knowing that Adam and Zack are narcs. Although Tod needs some assurance that Ronna will pay him back, so she leaves her friend Claire (Katie Holmes) as collateral. Needless to say the deal goes bad and Ronna is now totally screwed.

Then the movie sort of starts over again but this time from Simon's point of view and his wild adventures in Vegas. Simon and friends get into some pretty crazy shit and end up on the run from some low level strip club mobsters when Simon shots one of them in the arm. This story will cross path with Tod and Claire near the end.

Lastly we've go to the point of view of Adam and Zack and their relationship with officer Burke (William Fichtner) who is overseeing their plea bargain to get and arrest that will lead him to Tod. They will also run into Ronna again at a very inopportune time. Everything in each story in connected in one way or another and makes it joy to watch. The characters are interesting, quirky, and funny, and the story is tightly packed with out a second to spare. It's a pretty fun experience even if it is a little dated. So if your feeling a little nostalgic for the 90s I suggest you "Go".

Sarah Polley Tribute "Guinevere" by Audrey Wells

2013-05-19T18:32:00.000-05:00

5/18/2013

My next bunch of reviews will focus on Canadian actor/director Sarah Polley, who has starred in several independent films such as "Guinevere", "Go", and "My Life Without Me", along with directing the critically acclaimed films "Away from Her" and "Take This Waltz". Born in January of '79 in Toronto, Sarah found success in the TV show "Road to Avonlea" and several other Canadian productions. She may be short in stature (5'2") but is quite the heavy hitter in the indie film scene.

The 1999 film "Guinevere" was written and directed by Audrey Wells and co-stars veteran Irish actor Stephen Rea as Connie Fitzpatrick a Bohemian San Francisco photographer. Polley play Harper Slone the youngest daughter in a wealthy, stuck up family of lawyers. Harper is often ignored and played off as the black sheep, when she is really the most normal and grounded of the bunch. While bored to death at her sisters wedding, she runs off with a bottle of champagne and manages to bump into the wedding photographer, Connie. Connie is not one to win over the young ladies with his looks, but is a very mysterious and intriguing character. The appealing lure of the life of an artist does it every time. He quickly strikes up a sort of friendship with Harper when he agrees not photograph her as part of the wedding party. Unknown to Harper he does take a picture of her and she falls in love with it. On the back it says "To Guinevere"

Connie is the stereotypical self destructive, alcoholic, has been artist that have been portrayed since Shakespearian times. He has this thing were he mentors and helps troubled young female artists find their way. I won't lie it is kind of creepy and looks likes the oldest trick in the book for an older man to get with young girls. Although there must be something to him because Harper ditches Harvard law school to live with Connie rent free with the condition that she must work on being some sort of artist. She chooses photography as her medium. All of the girls past and present are referred to as his Guinevere's and serve as his muse's for his own photography projects. It not long before the ole Connie charm kicks in and Harper is sleeping with him. Harper is introduced to his close circle of friends and even meets a former Guinevere, played by Gina Gershon. For the first time in her life Harper feels accepted for who she is and not the constant disappointment her family sees. Connie gives her all of the attention she could ever want and Harper soaks it up like a sponge.

Early on when Harper finds out their have been other Guinevere's, she has a major freak out. Thinking she is being taken advantage of she moves out only to be back with him shortly after. When Harper's mother finds out what she's been up to she confronts Connie. She is one frosty bitch (played by Jean Smart), which a big side a jealousy. "Guinevere" is not a great movie by any stretch, but it is watchable for Polley and Rea, because with out them this movie would need to left in the darkroom. It is currently showing on Netflix Instant Streaming.

"Disturbing Behavior" Starring Katie Holmes and James Marsden

2013-04-23T22:20:00.003-05:00

4/23/2013

Released in 1998 and following the lead of "The Faculty" comes another high school horror film called "Disturbing Behavior". Mostly known as Katie Holmes first major film role. She had a bit part a year earlier in Ang Lee's "The Ice Storm". "Disturbing Behavior" is directed by David Nutter who mainly directs in television and most notably from episodes of "The X files". So you would think this would be the perfect fit right? Wrong.

The story centers on Steve one of the newest students to Cradle Bay High School. He is played by James Marsden who looks likes he's about 28 or so. His younger sister Lindsey is played by Katherine Isabelle, who later stars in the 2000 cult favorite movie "Ginger Snaps". They have moved to Cradle Bay from Chicago for a "new start" after their brother had died. Steve gets acquainted with a few of the Cradle Bay outcasts/stoners in Gavin and UV an albino kid. At lunchtime Gavin points out all of the typical high school cliques. The geeks, the motor heads, the skaters and then there are the blue ribbons. The blue ribbons are like the cool kids in a 1950s movie. They are the ultra preppy, letter sweater wearing creeps that really lay on the phony charm just a little too heavy. We are then finally introduced to Rachel or "Rae" the dark haired, truck driving wanna be bad girl played by Katie Holmes. She is wasted in this role and is pretty much limited to eye candy which is not a bad thing ( just watch "The Gift") but she is barely in half the movie, what the hell?

After a number of violent outbursts from members of the blue ribbons, who are mostly football Cradle Bay meatheads" as Rachel puts it. This is true and Gavin and Steve are out to stop it, although we are not really sure what it is. While in the boiler room for some reason Steve runs into the apparently crazy and unhinged janitor who is waging war on the schools rat problem. A gigantic WTF. He has cobbled together a sort of high frequency radio box to drive the rats out but wouldn't you know it come up big just as the third act rolls around. This movie is also about the absent parents and their inability to controlled their kids. When an easy but ominous solution comes along the parents all blindly follow it, thinking its for the best.
players and cheerleaders, Gavin has this theory that "some sinister force has taken over the

"Disturbing Behavior" tries to be a lot of things and utterly fails on all fronts. It tries to be an extended episode of "The Twilight Zone" as well as a 50s style conspiracy movie, but with a hip 90s attitude. Its poorly cast and only exists to profit off the teen movie craze of the moment. Even though I rip on it now I did see this in theatres and thought is was alright at the time. It has steadily gotten worse. However if you are so inclined to check it out, even if it only to see Holmes, it's available on DVD and on demand from Amazon.

"The Faculty" by Robert Rodriguez is 90s Teen Horror Fun

2013-04-18T11:30:00.003-05:00

4/18/2013

While in high school did you ever think your teachers were aliens from a different planet? That's the premise behind Robert Rodriguez's 1998 film "The Faculty". Piggy backing off the massive success of the "Scream" movies, teen horror in the late 90s was the hottest thing going. "The Faculty" has a great ensemble cast featuring Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Selma Hayek, Usher and many others. Also in a bit of strange casting John Stewart in his pre Daily Show days plays a science teacher named Edward Furlong who played John Connor in "Terminator 2".

We are introduced to the students of Harrington High School in proper stereo typical form. There is the smart, drug dealing Zeke (Hartnett) who is repeating his senior year. The bullied and tormented Casey (Wood), the tough goth like rebel girl Stokley (Clea Duval), then of course the cutesy blonde haired new girl with sexy southern accent, Mary Beth. Rather then being a terrifying and gory horror film, it is more a fun and entertaining blast of nostalgia. Taking hints from movies like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and 50s style monster movies. These movie are also brought up by the characters and follows the formula of "Scream" in being self referential.

Starting with the insanely intense football coach the entire faculty becomes infected by a shrimp like creature that goes in through your ear and wraps it tentacles around your brain to control you like a robot. The aliens need a great deal of water to survive and the water cooler becomes a popular hangout in the teachers lounge.

Casey finds a small pod like thing on the football field and brings it to Mr. Furlong who finds that it Casey and the editor of the school paper Delilah (Jordana Brewster) start to investigate things and then witness the turning of the school nurse Rosa (Hayek). Just thing about that for moment the school nurse is Salma Hayek, needless to say that office must be constantly overflowing. Anyway, Zeke the cool kid deals this white powder stuff that's made up mostly of caffeine pills that he puts in clear pen tubes. They find out that this powder kills the aliens when they stab Mr. Furlong in the eye when he turns on them. Then the shit starts to get real. The group of students hideout in Zeke's garage where they need to prove they are not aliens by taking a hit off the powder. A scene similar to the one in John Carpenter's The Thing. They figure out that to end this they need to find and kill the lead alien. Eventually one by one they get infected until Casey in one his own and has to save the day.

jumps to life when introduced to water.

"The Faculty" is a very familiar story, but it knows what it is. I saw this way back when it was in theatres and really liked it then and still do. As with all teen movies it does tend to date itself and lose a little something in the process. So if your feeling nostalgic for the 90s take a look at Robert Rodriguez's "The Faculty". Also look for its bastard step child "Disturbing Behavior" in my next review.

"Henry: Portrait of Serial Killer" is a Character Study in Violence

2013-04-16T09:28:00.000-05:00

4/15/2013

To quote Homer Simpson "Oooh portrait, sounds classy". This movie is the chilling and brutal story of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, who along with his accomplice Otis killed an unknown number of people. Also known as the confession killer for taking credit for hundreds and hundreds of killings. Henry's actual number of victims it unknown, but he was convicted of 11 murders and sentenced to life in prison. He died in 2001.

Directed by John McNahugton on a shoestring budget of $100,000, "Henry" was filmed in Chicago with unknown actors in late 1985 and early 1986. It marked the screen debut of Michael Rooker, who plays Henry, has gone on to have a prolific career. Most currently playing Merle Dixon on "The Walking Dead".

Henry is loner living Chicago and is a part time exterminator of bugs, then at night an exterminator of humans. He lives with Otis another sleazebag loner who isn't to bright. They met while serving time and now share a small prison like apartment. Otis also has a sister, Becky, who left her husband and has come to live with the serial killer odd couple. Henry and Becky spark up a relationship and he protects her against the verbally and physically abusive Otis.

McNaughton opens the movie on a close up of one of Henry's victims (the orange socks girl) that was We then see a few more gruesome crime scenes of Henry's work. His tableaus of carnage. This movie is not a your typical horror movie, it's more of a pitch black character drama about violence. Rooker is amazing in his performance as the remorseless and soulless killer. Although Henry mostly killed by himself, he let Otis tag along and they became a team, until Henry ultimately killed him too. The movie is not a truly accurate account of actual events and some things were changed to make a it a better movie.

ditched in the weeds.

"Henry" was completed in 1986 but wasn't released until 1989 as it had an epic battle with the MPAA over the films rating. Originally given and X rating, which was mostly reserved for pornography. "Henry" was one of the movies that led to the creation of the NC-17 rating (which is still a ratings death sentence). Meaning that the movie contains intense adult themes, but is not pornography. Once released it really polarized critics, it received several rave reviews from critics like Roger Ebert (R.I.P). Its an intense and unflinching look into the darkest corners of humanity. Dark Sky films released a 2 disc special edition in 2006 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the film. It has a commentary track from the director, an hour long making of documentary, and much more. Check it out!

Let "Slither" Slide Across your Screen and Thank Me Later!

2013-04-08T18:39:00.003-05:00

4/7/2013

In the spirit of the cheesy monster movies of years past "Slither" is quite the enjoyable film. It's as funny as it is disgusting and bizarre. Directed by James Gunn, who previously worked at famed B-movie studio Troma, brings the same attitude and felling to "Slither" although with a much bigger budget.

Taking place in Wheelsey, South Carolina this movie has a deep southern feel to it. Starring Elizabeth Banks as Starla a young southern belle married to the much older Grant, whose last name is also Grant, played by the intense Michael Rooker. The town sheriff Bill Pardy is played by genre icon Nathan Fillion. Many other movies come to mind while watching this like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Night of the Creeps" and many more.

We open with a meteorite crashing down in a wooded area of Wheelsey behind Bill and his partners squad car as they whittle away an extremely slow and boring night. We see Starla and Grant have an argument and he heads off to the bar and picks up a local chick name Brenda. There is also has another woman in the bar singing karaoke to "The Crying Game" which is pretty funny. Grant and Brenda wander into the woods where he stumbles upon a giant slug like creature that upon investigation shoots him with a sort of worm dart that takes control of his brain. This also begins about his slow and gruesome transformation. He now has an insatiable hunger for raw meat. The next night while Starla waits for Grant at the big Deer Cheer dance she reconnects with Bill whose had a crush on her for years. Grant is a no show at the dance and Bill gives her a ride home as they talk and bond

Probably the funniest character, although not initially, is the douche bag mayor Jack MacReady (MacReady was also the name of Kurt Russell's character in "The Thing"). He is an arrogant jerk who gets all of the best one liners and his reactions to all of the mayhem are priceless. Grant "impregnates" Brenda with his alien appendages who is then stuck into a barn and turns into a giant and I mean giant blob, who eventually explodes releasing tons of slithering slugs that go in through you mouth a turn you into a brain dead zombie. Many of the locals get zombified and its up to our heroes Bill, Starla and a teenage girl named Kylie, whose family was also turned, to save the day. Grant is now a giant Jaba the Hut like creature with tentacles. The final showdown is nothing too special but the movie as a whole is pretty crazy fun to watch. "Slither is currently available on Netflix watch instantly. The DVD version also has a commentary if your into that sort of thing.

"Hellraiser" Starring Pinhead and the Cenobites!

2013-03-31T13:07:00.002-05:00

(Editor's Note: I just realized I'm reviewing a movie called "Hellraiser" on Easter Sunday. Sorry Jesus, my bad.)

03/31/2013

Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" is a 80s horror classic with gore effects that still hold up today. It also introduces us to a new horror icons Pinhead and the Cenobites (sound like a band I use to know). I actually saw this movie when I was about 10 years old and can't believe how well the film has held up after all these years. Some of the movie hasn't aged as well though as in the ending.

Julia is business woman who had a torrid affair with her husband Larry's brother Frank, a dark and mysterious world traveler. When Frank dies under suspicious and supernatural circumstances Julia and Larry move into his house (naturally). Larry also has a daughter, Kirsty, from his first marriage who now lives on her own. While helping the movers Larry accidentally cuts open is hand on a nail and goes looking for Julia. He finds her in the attic where Frank died. Larry's wound bleeds on the floor, which intern starts in motion the resurrection of Frank.

A while back Frank had bough a puzzle box from a street vendor. Its like a Rubik's Cube, but if you solve it opens up a doorway to hell. The box summons the sadomasochistic demons known as the Cenobites, whose only pleasure is your pain. With Larry's blood Frank is able to escape the Cenobites and tries to reclaim human form. The effects used in Frank's slow regeneration are pretty awesome. He is completely skinless and looks like he'd make a good Body Worlds Exhibit. He needs human victims to able to continue the regeneration process and with Julia wanting her dead lover back helps him. She lures a handful of unsuspecting business men to their death. So where is Larry in all this? Completely oblivious and unaware that anything is wrong, so basically a typical 80s movie husband. Kirsty does get suspicious when she sees her step mom with another man. While at the house looking for her dad, she discovers the new frank and is able to steal the puzzle box. Frank ups his search for some skin and sort of reunites with his brother Larry. That's right Franks is now wearing Larry's skin and is out to kill Kirsty and reclaim the puzzle box.

While investigating the box Kirsty accidentally summons the Cenobites and to save her own life she offers to give them Frank. The Cenobites "Will tear your soul apart" says Pinhead the leader of the group along with a female with her throat opened up. There is also "Butterball" and the "Teeth Chatterer". As I said in the beginning the ending is pretty dated and done on the cheap, but the movie as a whole is a true horror classic. To date there are eight sequels out there all starring Pinhead. Anything after number three and you watch at your risk.

"The Midnight Meat Train" is Better than its Lame Title

2013-03-30T11:13:00.000-05:00

3/30/2013

This 2008 horror movie never quite got off the ground thanks to one of the most ridiculous sounding titles in recent memory. It is however the exact title of Clive Barker's short story that inspired it. The Clive Barker of "Hellraiser" fame. This is far from a cheesy B-movie, but an intense, gore filled subway trip to hell.

"The Midnight Meat Train" stars Bradley Cooper, who just recently won the Best Actor Oscar for "Silver Linings Playbook". Needless to say this is a much different movie. He plays Leon a struggling New York City street photographer, who lives with his girlfriend Maya in small apartment. In this digital age Leon still shoots with black and white film and develops his prints in his own darkroom. Because watching someone sitting in front of a computer for hours using Photoshop just isn't cinematic enough I guess. Film is becoming a lost art, but hopefully it will never completely die. After failing to get into a gallery show, he turns his focus to the subway system. He catches a group of guys attacking a woman and shoots it, the thugs do let her go but then he reads in the newspaper that the girl is now missing. The museum curator loves Leon's new work and encourages him to go deeper.

This is where we meet the mysterious Mahogany, played by brutish Vinnie Jones. Mahogany works as a butcher by day and rides the subway by night where he brutally murders late night commuters. His weapon of choice is a steel mallet to smash in peoples skulls, which we see frequently and in slow motion. Once Leon discovers him and what he does it becomes his obsession to follow and photograph him. Curiosity drives the photographer, and the camera acts as a sort of barrier between you and the subject. Leon does however go to the police with these disturbing finds but they brush him off like dust on a negative. When Mahogany becomes aware of Leon, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

The gore and effects are pretty effective and are done with part practical effects and part CG. The acting is top notch and not what you would expect from such a gory movie. Mahogany only says about two words in the whole film, but he is quite the screen presence. Almost like a Jason or Michael Myers type character. The ending is just as intense as the rest of the film and does explain a lot. Its almost like a mythological conspiracy. "The Midnight Meat Train" is available on DVD, so if you want to see Bradley Cooper in something other than those "Hangover" Movies check this one out.

Angels Bettis Tribute: "Sick Girl"

2013-02-26T13:08:00.001-06:00

"Sick Girl"
"Masters of Horror"

2/26/2013

"Sick Girl" is a 60 minute episode of the Showtime series "Masters of Horror" and like "May" was also directed by Lucky Mckee. "Sick Girl" is a bizarrely funny romantic comedy surrounded by bugs and small doses of horror that make it really fun.

Starring Angela Bettis, as Ida Teeter, an entomologist who is looking for a woman who's not disgusted by her obsession with the creepy crawly things she keeps all over her apartment. As a character Ida seems to have been transported from the 1940s. She has the period hairdo and talks in a sort of way that is hard to describe. Erin Brown AKA Misty Mundae plays Ida's love interest Misty Falls, yeah sounds kind of confusing. Misty spends her time drawing fairies and pixies in the lobby of where Ida works. Ida works up the courage to ask Misty out and their whirlwind romance begins.

The episode opens with a guy capturing a big exotic bug and mailing it to Ida, who is excited about the mysterious and very aggressive specimen. This bug eventually does escape and makes a home for itself inside Ida's pillow. Talk about your bedbugs. Misty is bitten by the nasty thing that starts a gradual transformation in her. The whole episode is B-movie-ish and campy but is also fun and horrific. Like in "May" Ida is a lonely soul who surrounds her self with surrogate friends in the bugs. She is anxious and nervous of what people think of her, afraid of rejection. She finally finds a kindred spirit in Misty, who accept her for who she is, but Ida's bug obsession comes back to literally and fugitively bite her back.

Their relationship is put to the test as the bug starts to take over Misty and culminates in a pretty insane ending. Ida and Misty do end up together but under some pretty strange circumstances. "Sick Girl" is available as a stand alone DVD packed with special features and is pretty cheap. It is also currently available on Amazon Steaming

Angela Bettis Tribute: "Toolbox Murders"

2013-02-20T16:48:00.003-06:00

"Toolbox Murders"

2/202013

In 1974 Tobe Hooper directed the original horror masterpiece "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and created and instant name for himself. But over the past few decades he really hasn't done anything to write home about. Except that in 2004 he directed Angela Bettis in a remake of the 1978 film "The Toolbox Murders".

This new version stars Bettis as Nell as she and her husband move into the Lusman Arms apartment complex in Los Angeles. The complex in under an extensive renovation and is a complete mess, but they have a doorman. The story feels like a lost film from Roman Polanski, drawing a lot from the themes of "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Tenant". The story also throws in a bit of old Hollywood noir, as the apartment building was the former residence of the infamous Black Dahlia victim Elizabeth Short. The building is a character in itself as a dark and foreboding presence. The movie was shot at the old Ambassador Hotel which has a pretty storied past in itself. The Lusman Arms is the place where young actors come with dreams of making it big. Although Nell is a school teacher and her husband Steve and med student.

From the first scene of the movie we know that there is a ski masked maniac in the building who is killing off the resident and things seem to point towards Ned the quiet and creepy young maintenance man who kind of looks like Jack White. Like the original film he kills his victims with various tools in his toolbox, so yeah the title is pretty self explanatory.

Nell immediately gets the creeps about the place, but its so affordable since they have to live in a construction zone. We get to know a lot of the residents from an old man who has lived there for 60 years, to the young couple that is always fighting, and the middle aged couple with a teenaged son. After hearing a bunch of screaming from next door Nell calls the cops, but they find nothing. She is all alone with her mind allowed to wonder and with the paper thin walls she can't get a moment of silence. As the terror and suspense increases Nell starts to investigate the history of the Lusman Arms. Acting on a tip from the Old Man she find that each floor is missing a room and that something sinister lurks within the walls.

This is a fun little movie that is all about Angela Bettis and her character Nell as she fights for not only her life but for her sanity. The "Toolbox Murders" DVD is available online oe from Netflix and includes a couple of commentary tracks and some deleted scenes. So I guess you should put the Hot Pocket down and go watch this movie.

Toolbox Murders Trailer by Horrornewsnet

A Tribute to Horror Actress Angela Bettis: "May"

2013-02-15T09:47:00.001-06:00

"May"

2/13/2013

A native of Austin, Texas Angela Bettis has carved out her niche as an actress in small independent horror movies. She started out with bit parts in bigger Hollywood movies in the late 90s but really turned heads as the creepy and unhinged loner in Lucky McKee's 2002 film "May". Over the next four review we'll take a closer look at some of her best roles.

Made for only a half million bucks, "May" tells the story of a twenty something girl who is searching for friend and can't seem to find that perfect person. She was shunned as a little girl because of her lazy eye that required her to wear an eye patch. Her mother made her a very special doll but she couldn't play with it because its a collectible. It is kept locked in a case never able to be free, just like May. May is very creative and makes all of her own clothes on her trusty sewing machine, which adds to her quirkiness. She works in a veterinarian's office with Polly, played by a then unknown (sadly, maybe still) Anna Faris as the receptionist. Faris steals every scene she is in with a wild and sexy energy. May develops a crush on Adam, played by Jeremy Sisto, who works at the Auto repair shop across the street. She loves his beautiful hands most of all. Adam likes May but its like he really just feels sorry for her. May is extremely nervous around him and tries a little too hard for his attention.

"May" is very reminiscent of Roman Polanski's "Repulsion" about a young girls loneliness and eventual decent into madness. "May" does have a bunch of comedic moments though that even out the horrific ones. Adam admits he likes "weird", but when May crosses the line and takes it a bit to far, Adam starts to push away from May and want her out of his life. Its not that easy for May as she finally snaps and goes on mission to create the perfect person (see "Frankenstein").

"May" is a movie for weird people and about weird people. If you ever felt like you just don't fit in anywhere you'll love this movie. Every actor is perfectly cast and Director Lucky Mckee (who is a bit weird himself) gets great performances from all. The DVD also has a few commentary tracks which are always fun. So take a look at "May" today!

"Next Door" is Psychological Mind Bender

2013-01-30T11:29:00.003-06:00

Next Door

1/30/2013

"Next Door" is a Norwegian psycho-sexual mind bender, inspired by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch.

Taking place in a old apartment complex, John's girlfriend Ingrid has broken up with him. She is collecting the few remaining things she has left behind, while another man Ake waits for her in the car outside. John seems to be a regular mild mannered guy, but Ingrid has an uneasy fear of him. He doesn't know what he has done to make her leave and begs her to stay, but it useless. While in the hallway John is approached by Anne the girl next door, she needs his help in moving a cabinet. Anne lives with her sister Kim both women are young, sexy and mysterious. Everything about the girls and their apartment is a little strange and you start to wonder about their motivations and exactly who they are. The girls barricade themselves in their apartment with the cabinet in front of the door. We are told that it is to keep out the man who attacked Kim, but then she denies that she was ever attacked and that Anne has made it up.

Things get progressively more bizarre for John as fantasy and reality start to merge. There is something in John's past that's trying to break through. Are Anne and Kim even real? Throughout the story John is on a steady decline until the end when everything comes to a head.

"Next Door" could easily be an episode of the "Twilight Zone". It is short, compact and takes you on a very strange but interesting ride. It is available on DVD and definitely worth a look.

Nebenan | next door TRAILER from Luise Brinkmann on Vimeo.

"Compliance" An Unbelievable True Story!

2013-01-20T18:29:00.001-06:00

Compliance

1/20/2013

"This review contains spoilers but has gotten its flu shot"

Craig Zobel's film "Compliance" is based on a true story and is a scathing indictment on the increasing loss of morality and basic common sense in America. This is the story of one the most horrible (or effective) prank calls ever made, and the peoples lives it destroyed. Truth is definitely stranger than fiction and as things start to unfold it is almost incomprehensible that this actually happened and that the victims actually let this happen.

The story takes place at a fast food restaurant on a busy Friday. Sandra the middle aged manager has a lot on her plate (so to speak). The previous night one of the employees left the freezer open letting $1400 of inventory spoil, she is expecting an audit from one of the corporations secret shoppers, and she thinks her boyfriend is about to propose. This part is played with such heart breaking honesty by Ann Dowd that everybody should be able to relate to her in some way. Within this hectic day she receives a phone call from an Officer Daniels stating that Becky, one of her teenaged employees, has stole some money from a customers purse and that he is also on the line with the general manager of the restaurant. Sandra takes Becky off the front register and into the back office for some questioning. Becky denies these claims, but the officer says he is with the victim now and that she should just come clean with the money and make it a lot easier on herself. Sandra agrees. Becky is at a loss, she adamantly denies everything and states that she has done nothing wrong, but things are far from over.

Officer Daniels is busy with another investigation and needs Sandra to search Becky to see if they can find the money. Sandra is a little leery about the idea and has another female employee present as the search is conducted. Nothing is found as Becky removes her clothes, and then her underwear. Officer Daniels is quite the talker and assures Sandra that he will be taking all the responsibility for what goes on, and that he is grateful for her help. Sandra even follows his instructions to take all of Becky's clothes, purse and cell phone, put them in a bag and take them out to her car. He is stern, forceful and extremely manipulative. With Becky now wearing only an apron and Sandra being down an employee, things keep getting busier up front and she is forced back to work. She has to hand off the phone to another employee, one of Becky's male friends, Kevin. He can see that this situation is not right and refuses to do anything that the Officer tells him too, so the officer demands to speak to someone else. With no one else available Sandra calls in her boyfriend to keep an eye on Becky and talk with the Officer. This is were things really start to escalate to absurd levels. You'll probably find yourself yelling at the screen, and asking "why are you so stupid!" but this actually did happen. Becky talks to Officer Daniels on a number of occasions and he threatens to lock her away in jail, and that they are investing her brother for dealing drugs. He lays on guilt trip after guilt trip and she becomes like putty in his hands. Becky is played by the remarkably brave and fearless Dreama Weaver. Becky's mind ventures into a sort of survival mode as she agrees to everything she is told to do just to get it over with. She never outright refused to do anything no matter how bizarre and humiliating. She may grumble a little at first but that is short lived.

"Compliance" is the most perfect title this movie could have. People just have such a hard time saying no, that they are willing to do anything just appease authority weather its real or not. Sandra's weak nature and inability to "Just say No!" enables "Officer Daniels" to perpetrate his prank to the fullest extent. "Officer Daniels" preys on and exploits peoples weaknesses to make them do absolutely horrible things. But its not like he is physically there holding a gun to their heads. They could've just hung up the phone right? A number of people hate this movie and find it utterly infuriating and hard to watch. Which can be true but the fact that this really happen makes it a truly engaging drama.

For more about the actual events of this movie and this prank call phenomenon that has happened over 70 times in 30 states. Look for the "20/20" TV show interviews or a Google search for "Louise Ogborn" the real victim of this incredible hoax.

The Movies That Rocked 2012!

2013-01-12T19:22:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year and welcome to this years list of the best movies of the previous 12 months.

The Top 5

(in no particular order)

Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson's delightful and quirky comedy about the resident of a island off New England.

Prometheus - Ridley Scott's return to the "Alien" universe.

Killer Joe - A brutal Texas trailer park murder story

Argo - Ben Affleck's direction, the talented cast and incredible true story equals a great movie.

Lincoln - A bio pic with talent too spare. Daniel Day Lewis is in his usual best actor mode as honest Abe.

Honorable Mentions

God Bless America, Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty, Sound of My Voice

Best in Horror

Silent House

Cabin in the Woods,

Breakout Stars

Male - Channing Tatum

Female - Juno Temple

The Career Killer Award

Taylor Kitsch - Starred in two of the biggest film disasters in recent history with John Carter and Battleship.

"Alps" is Brilliantly Bizarre and Surreal

2012-12-20T12:46:00.000-06:00

"Alps"

12/20/2012

Greek director Giorgos Lanthimos's second feature film "Alps" is just as thought provoking and bizarre as his Academy Award nominated debut "Dogtooth". He paints a very surreal picture that can be hard to understand, but somehow is still very engaging.

"Alps" is the name of a clandestine group of four people who offer a service to impersonate the recently deceased in order to help their clients through the grieving process. This group is comprised of a nurse, a rhythmic gymnast and her coach, and another man who is their leader. They are called the "Alps" because it is ambiguous and doesn't say what they do, as well as being irreplaceable. They meet in a gymnasium and don't go by their real names but are referred to by mountain peaks associated with the Alps. The leader is Mount Blanc, the Nurse and the stories main character is called Mount Rose.

The film is mainly focused on Mount Rose, played by Aggrelikki Papoulia who also starred in "Dogtooth" as the Eldest daughter. It is about the lost of identity and losing your connections to reality. Mount Rose is a nurse who lives with her elderly father, but also seems to be a playing the part of his late wife. She has several Alps clients and it is hard to find who the "real" Mount Rose is. The Gymnast and coach are another thing altogether, she is always in training and never seems to be ready. Mount Blanc is sort of a mystery. He is the quiet and stoic leader of the group who during a game of who would you most like to impersonate chooses Bruce Lee.

When Mount Rose breaks one of the rules of being an Alp she is cast out, this is where she loses her proverbial shit and has a complete mental breakdown. Like trying to describe the meaning of a Salvador Dali painting, both "Alps" and "Dogtooth" just need to be experienced and usually more than once. Both movies are now available on Netflix watch Instantly.

"Turn Me On Dammit!" is Worth Getting Exited About

2012-12-13T20:45:00.002-06:00

Turn Me On Dammit!

12/13/2012

When it comes to teen sex comedies it is usually from a guy or group of guys perspective. Very rarely do you get a story that deals with the female side. American films have trouble talking about female sexuality, especially in teenagers. Our repressed society likes to keep things hidden from the so-called impressionable people that it is affecting, because it is just so uncomfortable. Really? The Norwegian film "Turn Me On Dammit!" is brilliant in its frankness and honesty without being exploitive or gratuitous. This film is comprised of non professional actor and touches on themes and issues that are very universal when it comes to teenage life.

Alma is a 15 year old girl, who lives with her mother in a very small Norwegian town called Skoddeheimen. Like many small towns all over the world it is incredibly boring and she can't wait to leave and start a real life. It is so boring in fact that her mother works at a local turnip processing factory. She is friends with Sara, a dark haired anti-establishment type girl who dreams of moving to Texas and abolishing capital punishment. Sara's sister Ingrid has and addiction to lip gloss and doesn't really care for Alma, since they like the same guy. The guy in question is Artur and he is the most popular kid in school.

We venture into Alma's mind and see her fantasies played out on screen, but then are jolted back to reality. During a party at the community center everything changes when Alma and Artur are alone outside and her pokes her with his ding dong. Alma goes back inside and blabs to her friends about what happen and they think she is making it up, then Artur denies the whole thing. This makes Alma a perv and an outcast at school. It doesn't take long for the news to get around town and to her mother. Alma's mother also confronts her with a huge phone bill that has Alma calling phone sex lines. The scene that opens the movie involves one of these calls and is very reminiscent of the opening of "American Pie" except from a female angle. Alma is dealing with issues common to all teenagers no matter where you live. So she runs off to Oslo and meets up with Sara's older sister and her friends where she is able to take everything into perspective and realizes that this will all pass and the day will come when she will become her own woman. Filmmaker Jannike Systad Jacobson, in her debut film, brings a real heartfelt honest to the story and its characters.

This movie might be a little hard to find but is available through Netflix and Amazon and is definitely worth a look.

"Ghost World" is definetly Wowsville

2012-12-01T12:33:00.000-06:00

Ghost World

11/28/2012

Before "Art School Confidential" Director Terry Zwigoff adapted another one of Daniel Clowes graphic novels, the satirical "Ghost World". About longtime friends Enid and Rebecca as the graduate high school and try to decide what to make of their lives.

The story focuses more on Enid, played by Thora Birch, and her quest to find herself. Her mother is no longer around and she lives with her very conservative and nerdish father. They have an average relationship as he is oblivious to her problems and she just kind of puts up with him until she can move out. All of the characters in "Ghost World" are a bit quirky to say the least, but they are very real and relatable.

Enid and Rebecca wander their small town spouting out various opinions and random thoughts. They pass by Norman, the old guy who is always sitting on a buss bench waiting for a buss that never comes. They visit the sidewinder convenience store to pester and torment their friend Josh (Brad Renfro, R.I.P.), then end up at a 50s diner called Wowsville. While reading the "missed connections" section of the local paper and laughing at all the losers they decide to call one of the number and leave a message. This brings us to another eccentric but down to earth character in Seymour, played perfectly by Steve Buscemi. Seymour is a single middle aged "sad sack" kind of guy who says " He has difficulty relating to 90% of humanity" He has extensive knowledge and collection of old 78 records. He is a guy who seems to have been born at few decades too late.

The Girls set up a blind date with Seymour just get a look at him and to observe him. Enid always carries around her sketch book and fills it with drawing of all the weird people she comes in contact with. After they stand up Seymour at the cafe they unexpectedly run into him at a sort of garage sale/swap meet. Enid find him fascinating and buys a record from him. Enid and Seymour then develop this friendship based on old jazz musicians, and the fact that Enid wants to find him a girlfriend. They are both lonely souls in a world of people they can't stand to be around. Rebecca on the other hand is the more "normal" of the girls, she works at a coffee shop and is pretty put together. She doesn't understand Enid's fascination with Seymour and they start to drift apart as friends. They always dreamed of getting their own apartment together, but now that the time has come, they keep drifting further and further apart.

The ending is very hopeful but uncertain. It remains true to life and doesn't give any easy answers. Difficult Decisions have to made weather we like it or not. Some would call it living your life.

"Art School Confidential" Majors in Funny

2012-11-18T12:11:00.002-06:00

"Art School Confidential"

11/18/2012

One of the greatest questions ever asked by mankind is "What is Art?" "Art School Confidential", directed Terry Zwigoff and based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, takes a satirical look at the art world through the students at the fictitious Strathmore college.

Jerome (played by Max Mighella) is a freshman at Strathmore who has dreams of being one of the worlds greatest artists. His roommates are a fanatical film director, and a yet to come out the closet fashion designer. The movie plays up all of the typical art school stereotypes in a very self referential way. Jerome forms a sort of friendship with Bardo (Joel David Moore) and he points out all of these clichéd students. Bardo himself is the guy who has been there for seven years and changes his major each year. There is also the crazy suicidal girl, the pseudo-intellectual guy, the hippies, the teachers pet. Also the failed arrogant artist who decides to become a teacher in a desperate attempt to hold on to something that was never really there. This is played by the always intense (and this time funny) John Malkovich as Professor Sandiford. Art school is a also the magical place where there is always two super hot uninhibited girls for every geeky guy.

Jerome is a regular guy and falls for the lure of the "glamorous" artist life. He decides to go to Strathmore because he wants to meet Audrey (Sophia Myles) the beautiful nude figure model from the college's brochure. To further fill out the full roster of interesting characters we have Broadway Bob (Steve Buscemi) who once a year gives one of the students a one person show at his cafe. Their is Jimmy the old alcoholic reclusive former artist who Bardo brings Jerome to for advice on life and art. All in all this is a great ensemble cast with interesting characters that you wish you could know more about. As Jimmy tells Jerome one night "to be a great artist you just need to take lessons in sucking cock and licking ass" Well put Jimmy!

So Jerome eventually meets Audrey and after he paints her portrait in a class they become friends. Audrey plays the part of the Muse to all of the popular up and coming young artists. Everything they are doing in school builds up to the final showing and one and only grade. So many things have been said about art over the centuries its impossible to nail down what makes good art. Is it just a popularity contest? Is it the artist themselves and not necessarily the art? And on and on. Jerome really does have some talent but how will he turn it into a career? As Professor Sandiford states in class "only about 1 in 100 of you will ever make a living as an artist" I think he is being rather conservative.

The movie also has a side plot of a murder mystery involving the Strathmore Strangler which is a little more than strange, but it does involve a detective going under cover an becoming the most popular painter at the school. Do you really need talent to be a great artist? So many questions. "Art School Confidential" is must see for anybody that asks these questions. It doesn't offer any answers but its a pretty fun experience.

Stay the Night in "1408" with John Cusack

2012-11-11T17:20:00.002-06:00

"1408"

11/11/2012

Master horror writer and cultural icon Stephen King has had over 30 stories adapted into movies or T.V. mini series. "1408" is one of the more successful film adaptations in recent memory. Starring John Cusack in a sort of one man performance as Mike Enslin. Enslin is a struggling writer who has just completed his latest book on haunted hotels. He is a non believer in ghosts and ghoulies and has lost his spiritual faith as well when his young daughter dies from a terminal illness. He has turned into a cold and cynical man looking for something in life and just can't find it until he gets a post card from the Dolphin Hotel in New York City.

Mike is from New York but since the death of his daughter Katie, he has left his wife and moved to Hermosa Beach, California. He receives all kinds of mail from across the country from supposed haunted hotels that want him to stay the night. He is drawn back home to New York and the Dolphin Hotel as he seems destined to stay in room 1408. Sam Jackson plays the hotels manager Mr. Olin, who warns Mike about the room and its history. How 56 people who have stayed in 1408 have died, some of natural causes, several suicides, and many other questionable deaths. "Nobody has lasted more than an hour in 1408" says Mr. Olin. Mike is on a mission and no mater what he is told he will stay in 1408 and that is final.

Upon arrival Mike is thoroughly unimpressed. The bland furnishings and clichéd art on the walls is thoroughly mocked as he talks into his trusty tape recorder. He settles in with a free bottle of expensive booze and starts to pass the time when things start to get a little eerie. Mike is not easily rattled but he starts to become unglued pretty quickly as things start to happen. The radio turns on and ominously plays "We've only just begun" by The Carpenters. Mike take a psychological ass kicking that propels the remainder of the movie. Director Mikael Hafstrom has included a few homages to other great psychological horror films as he has the walls crack open like in Polanski's "Repulsion" and a snow covered scene that brings back images of Kubrick's "The Shining". This movie doesn't approach that level of greatness but is still a good film non the less. John Cusack acts alone in a room for most of the film and pulls off an amazing performance. The movie boils down to a man who is having trouble dealing with the death of his daughter, even though in flashbacks Katie assures him "daddy, everyone dies".

"1408" is well made, well, acted and worth checking out so watch it tonight.

Rockport Rates: "Halloween"

2012-10-28T13:26:00.001-05:00

1. Halloween (1978)

Johns Carpenter's original is one the best horror movies of all time. Jamie Lee Curtis sets the standard for scream queens. Michael Myers is at his creepy best! We begin our long relationship with Donald Pleasance as Dr. Loomis.

2. Halloween II (1981)

A very impressive sequel that continues the events of the first. Jamie Lee is back to battle Michael. While the crazy Dr. Loomis follows close behind.

3. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Introducing Danielle Harris as Jamie, Michael's niece who must die. She gives an absolutely amazing performance for such young girl. Dr. Loomis is still alive? This one also has one of the best endings in the whole franchise.

4. Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998)

Jamie Lee Curtis returns with a great young cast. A brief return to brilliance for the franchise after the disappointment number 6.

5. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Jaime (Danielle Harris) is back and so is Michael.

6. Halloween (Rob Zombie Remake) (2007)

An ambitious remake from the right director, but still falls flat with weak character development (except for Michael) and the originals building of suspense and subtle terror. There is nothing subtle in anything associated with Rob Zombie.

7. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

The black sheep of the franchise. Who needs Michael Myers, right? Wrong. I liked the performance of veteran horror actor Tom Atkins though. "Eight more days 'til Halloween Silver Shamrock". Ahh! can't get that tune out of my head.

8. Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

A pregnant Teenage Jamie is kidnapped by some Druids who steal her baby so Michael can ceremoniously kill it, or something like that. Has a very dated early 90's feel. Grunge is so in dude!

9. Halloween II (Rob Zombie Sequel) (2009)

A complete mess from inception to somewhat completion. The audience gets tortured by the filmmakers instead of Michael Myers.

10. Halloween Resurrection (2002)

Web Cams and Busta Ryhmes bring the franchise to rock bottom lows.

"The Amityville Horror" (2005) Welcome Home!

2012-10-14T16:38:00.004-05:00

Amityville Horror (2005)

10/15/2012

"Houses don't kill people, people kill people". The original 1979 movie starred James Brolin and Margot Kidder as a family that moves into a big beautiful house only to find it has a storied and brutal past. The movie is based on a true story of the most famous haunted house in America. The house itself is a very iconic image in the history of horror movies, almost like the mansion in "Psycho" The movies both old and new are based on the book "The Amityville Horror" by Jay Anson.

Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George take on the lead roles of George and Kathy Lutz, while their little girl Chelsea is played by up and coming superstar Chloe Grace Moretz ("Kick-Ass", "Let Me In"). Taking place in 1974, George is a building contractor who is looking for a new house for his new instant family. Kathy is a widower with 3 kids so George must really find Kathy special. All kidding aside they find a giant house at a bargain price and wonder what the catch is. Well here it is, they are told a year earlier a family was brutally murdered after living there for 28 days. Things start out great for the family as they usually do, but things don't stay that way for long. George becomes more angry, more aggressive and begins to lose touch with reality. Is it the house or is he just in a little over his head with what's going on in his life? This movie also loads on the typical horror clichés. It has a cold and creepy basement, freaky kids up to no good, old priests who have lost their faith and get attacked by flies, you know the usual.

Chelsea has a new imaginary friend in Jodie, who might not be all that imaginary (or alive for that matter) Kathy also starts to see and hear things. After witnessing the changes overcoming George she consults the local priest played by the great Phillip Baker Hall. We get a little more back story on the house, but the priest role is pretty underused. While in the house George feels physically ill and his mental state starts to quickly erode, until he finally loses it. I know this isn't the greatest movie, but for a horror remake it does the job and doesn't crap all over the original. Ryan Reynolds is known more for his comedic roles, but he is also a good dramatic actor (see "Buried").

There are countless sequels and other "Amityville" horror movies but the original and this remake are the ones to watch.

"Stigmata" Yeah its Really is That Bad!

2012-10-08T19:47:00.000-05:00

Stigmata

10/8/2012

Usually I don't do reviews of bad movies but when I originally saw "Stigmata" on DVD in the late 90s I actually thought it was pretty good. Now as I re-watch it over 10 years later I can definitely say, What the hell was I thinking? It feels dated, overly stylized and just plain bad all around.

Taking place in the water logged city of Pittsburg, where it is constantly raining and dreary. Patricia Arquette plays Frankie Paige a hair stylist who becomes afflicted with the stigmata, or the wounds of Christ, after receiving a rosary from her mother as a gift. The rosary belonged to a recently deceased South American priest whose church recently had their statue of the Virgin Mary bleed. Frankie is an atheist and the stigmata usually only appears to extremely devout Catholics. The wounds of the stigmata cannot be transferred through physical items. Its also has nothing to with demonic possession, actually quite the opposite. We then meet Father Andrew Kiernan, a Vatican investigator of miracles. He is sent to meet with Frankie and we learn that she is 23 years old, yeah sure you are and I am Abraham Lincoln. They talk and she tries to seduce him, and he refuses for the most part. Later on she seems to be possessed by some evil spirit and writes all over her apartment walls. This is supposedly is a lost gospel of the Bible written by Jesus himself. It tries to be scary and horrific but epically fails.

This train wreck was directed by Rufus Wainwright and like a lot of movies in the 90s it suffers from over stylization (AKA The Tarantino Effect). Style over substance and style just for the sake of trying to be "cool". It pays no attention to factual accuracy and just kind of creates it own thing on the fly. The musical score sound like something out of the 80s and not in a good nostalgic way. The entire look and feel of the film feels pretty dated and it wasn't even made that long ago. This is definitely a view at your own risk movie.

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is a Must See!

2012-09-23T11:20:00.000-05:00

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

9/23/2012

This movie is based on the true story of Anneliese Michel who died during an exorcism performed in Germany in the late 1960s and the trial of the priest who was accused of her murder. Some details have been changed for the movie but the heart of the story remains Science takes on religion in a gripping court room throw down.

Starring Jennifer Carpenter, now of "Dexter" fame, as Emily Rose a smart and centered farm girl who goes off to college only to be either suffering from a number of medical conditions or possessed by demonic spirits. This movie is stocked with a roster of very accomplished actors such as Tom Wilkinson as the accused Father Moore, Laura Linney as his attorney, and Campbell Scott as the prosecutor. The story is centered on the trial of Father Moore and uses flashbacks to tell the story of Emily Rose and the circumstances surrounding her death.

The prosecution contends that Emily was suffering from something called psychotic epileptic disorder. Which would explain her hallucinations, her trance like states, and violent seizures. While Father Moore is a loving and caring priest with a perfect record did he willing put Emily at risk by ignoring her possible medical conditions and relying of faith alone? Father Moore does tell Emily to stop taking her medications because it clouds the mind and prevents the exorcism from working. When Emily dies the official cause of death is dehydration and malnutrition.

Defense attorney Erin Bruner takes the case with the promise that she will be made a full partner at her firm. She is coming off a huge win in which she got off a another murder suspect. She meets up with Father Moore in prison an he refuses to take a plea deal, wanting it to go to trail to tell Emily's story (good thing or there wouldn't be a movie). Erin lives alone and after taking the case strange things start to happen every night at 3 am, the witching hour, leaving her to start examining her faith.

The story investigates both sides of the case and each do have very good arguments. Science has been batting religion since the beginning of time and this movie doesn't give any easy answers. The acting is top notch and takes the issues seriously. It all depends on what you believe and goes to the core of faith itself. It is one of the better movies out there on the subject of demonic possession. It does have a lot of good scares and is loaded with a creepy and ominous feel. "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is widely available on all formats and is a great watch so check it out!

For more information on the real case of Annaleise Michel Check out this Link http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/emilyrose.php

"The Devil Inside" Needs to be Unleashed

2012-09-19T19:17:00.000-05:00

The Devil Inside

9/18/2012

Simply put "The Devil Inside" could be described as "The Blair Witch Project" meets "The Exorcist". It's also quite similar to "The Last Exorcism" which I previously reviewed. "The Devil Inside" was in theaters at the beginning of the year and took in a pretty impressive $33 million its first weekend.

The movie opens with a 911 call and a woman saying she has killed three people. This is Maria Rossi and the main question about her and about possession cases in general is that is she really possessed? or just mentally ill? Maria is taken into custody and is eventually sent to a mental hospital in Rome. We then pick up the story of her daughter Isabella, played by Fernanda Andrade, who has teamed up a documentary film crew as she is about to visit her mother for the first time. Luckily Isabella and the whole cast for that matter are all attractive and easy to look at (since this is a "real" documentary and all). It's also a great coincidence that everybody in Italy speaks English and is easy to talk to (just sayin'). Isabella does visit the very real Exorcism School at the Vatican and meet up with a few young priests who help them along the way. Also the idea of multiple possessions and of demonic transference is brought up and plays a part later on.

All minor annoyances aside this really is a pretty frightening movie. The acting is pretty incredible, starting with Maria (Suzan Crowley) whose plays crazy and possessed like she is actually crazy and possessed. Rosa (contortionist Bonnie Morgan) has short scene that is the stuff of nightmares, but with a dash of humanity. Despite what she has been through in her life Isabella is pretty well adjusted and lives a normal life.

Isabella and the group perform a sort of unsanctioned exorcism on Maria at the mental hospital and things get pretty intense. Something happens that makes this exorcism movie unique. I won't spoil it but it makes for a interesting third act. Personally I think the ending is pretty awesome, but a lot of people hate it. Since this is a found footage type movie you'd expect this type of ending. Its abrupt, ambiguous are leaves a lot of questions. What happened next? More than likely with the amount of money it took in a sequel can't be far behind. "The Devil Inside" is now available on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download so give it a shot.

"The Last Exorcism" Will Leave you Possessed

2012-09-08T19:03:00.000-05:00

The Last Exorcism

9/8/2012

The exorcism movie has been a staple of the horror genre ever since "The Exorcist" debuted in 1973. It has experienced a resurgence in recent years with several such films hitting theatres and DVD, mostly boring and tired retreads but a few have really moved the genre forward. "The Last Exorcism" is one such movie. It takes on a faux documentary style with handheld camera work, a small budget and unknown actors to really drive home an authentic feel. Produced in part by horror icon Eli Roth, this film has a great pedigree and hope for greatness. While costing only a few million dollars it brought in more than $40 million at the box office. With results like that it's no surprise that a sequel in on the way.

Growing up with a southern pastor as a father Cotton Marcus (played by Patrick Fabian) has followed in his footsteps ever since he was little and now after years of being a pastor himself, he is ready to get out of the business. He has a documentary film crew follow him as he "performs" a typical exorcism. He wants to give away all of his secrets and how everything is staged and nothing but a big sham to bring in some extra cash. He answers one of the many letters he gets asking for help. Upon driving to the Sweetzer farm he meets a very sweet and innocent teen girl named Nell. He does some "tests" and agrees to do an exorcism on her. This goes like planned and he has another happy customer; until. Nell mysteriously appears in Cotton's motel room in a trance like state. Cotton doesn't believe in demonic possession and thinks that Nell is suffering from some sort of mental illness and takes her to a hospital.

The story is very effective in establishing Cotton's character and his motivations. He has lost his faith and wants to show us how fake his job can be. Obviously exorcism movies rely heavily on the possessed victim and the performance by Ashley Bell, who plays Nell, is spot on. She gives a fantastic performance showing fragility and vulnerability while also showing a devilish side that is quite shocking.

Cotton goes back to the farm and finds himself confronted with a potentially real possession case. Nell has some obvious problems but are they demonic in nature? The third act of the film really kicks it in to high gear and introduces another bizarre element to the story. The ending is loved by some and loathed by others, but this is one horror film that needs to be seen. "The Last Exorcism" is currently available on Netflix watch instantly.