Don’t Look in the Basement 2
– (2015) – Doctors at an infamous mental facility deal with patients and their visions of a dark past. On the positive side, the is relatively well-made and the acting isn’t terrible. As for the rest? This is a blood and suspense free slog of one dragging scene after another. What it lacks in horror it makes up for with characters endlessly yelling at one another.
Things II
– (1998) – An author tells an aspiring writer two stories about a creature involved in a robbery and a creature involved in the disappearance of a model. A zero budget outing that will never win points for drama, but some of the acting is above average while the scant plots move quickly. Could have used more gore, but that would only have added to an already bleak budget.
Poor Things
– (2023) – A woman with a child’s brain tries to come to terms with her own body before coming to terms with the world at large. A humorous and well-written fantasy about rare second chances at life and how mankind always veers toward personal domination. The atmosphere is as unique as the plot, and never feels artsy on purpose. Instead, this is a superior looking film to coincide with superior human performances.
Night Swim
– (2024) – An injured baseball player moves his family into a house whose pool harbors an evil secret. It’s hard to say which is worse, the morose characters, the languid attempts at horror, or the by-the-books investigation into a weak mystery. An insanely dull and humorless venture that pits a force we know nothing about against characters we care nothing about.
Undying Love
– (1991) – A suicidal misanthrope hooks up with a vampire who grants him eternal life. If you’ve seen any other vampire movie you’ll know what to expect from this one. Does absolutely nothing new, but does it rather competently despite the meager budget. Takes itself a bit too seriously, but some unintended humor and a quick pace help cast aside some of the negatives.
your a-z guide to obscure & classic horror movies
– (2011) – Two couples film themselves touring famous murder sites and end up trapped in a house with a violent apparition. Takes far too long to get to the final house, and spends too much time getting to know characters who aren’t very likeable. Anything remotely scary has been done better, as this is nothing but more found footage fodder.
2001 Maniacs
– (2005) – Friends and strangers on their way to Daytona end up in hillbilly hell. A fast paced and vivid outing with solid characters and loads of over-the-top gore. Not exactly rocket science, but enjoyable from start to finish.
Pet Sematary (2019)
– (2019) – A family relocates to a town near ancient grounds that can return life to the deceased. Seems to have been created for the sole purpose of playing against the original film, but in doing so creates unpredictability in characters and their grim plights. Sometimes uneven, but more often that not will shred nerves and provoke emotions.
Zombie A-Hole
– (2012) – Separate parties hunt the same zombie who often has his violent way with the innocent. Scenes about nothing drag while those of interest (gore & nudity) come and go with the wind. Good title, but the real A-Hole is the one who believes this backyard effort is worth the time.
Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
– (1980) – A mysterious woman, a black cat, and the undead make trouble for people who are often naked. Doesn’t have much a plot to talk about, as this is more concerned with occasional sex scenes, some of which are hardcore. Don’t get excited, though, those scenes are as bland as everything else.
Camp Blood First Slaughter
– (2014) – Students enter the domain of a notorious killer only to become the target of another murderer. Has moments that resemble an actual movie, but most of this is shoddily constructed. The F/X are particularly bad, but at the very least a credible body count is attempted.
The Children (1980)
– (1980) – When a bus passes through a mysterious mist, the kids inside gain the power to burn others. Too much time passes between the more engaging scenes, but what works is often creepy and somewhat surprising. The serious tone helps keep the killer tykes from seeming silly.