Lights Out - 2016 ****

 

Genuinely terrifying in my opinion, and I don't get easily scared by horror films anymore. I also found the storyline itself was highly original, which was another plus. Based on a short film of the same name, and a directorial debut no less.

Teresa is a ballsy, confident woman who lives alone away from her disturbed mother Sophie, who has a severe mental illness. Sophie spent a period of time in an asylum when she was a child and became friendly with a young girl named Diana during that time. Diana was a strange child, with a terrible allergy to light, and was also feared by other patients who thought she was evil.  

Teresa's younger brother Martin lives with her mother, but has begun to experience scary things whilst being there with her, such as seeing her have hushed conversations in the dark by herself and being unwilling to keep any lights on. Because of this, Martin has now developed insomnia which is heavily affecting his schoolwork. Teresa decides it's best for Martin to come and stay with her, but she hadn't planned for the terrifying ordeal they would both face.

I really enjoyed this, I found the pacing just right, the story on the whole was full of scares which I loved, and the acting overall was good. I was pleased with the ending as well, and glad it didn't go down the typical 'Hollywood' road.

 

(NOIR)( Dear Murderer - 1947 ****

 

'Dear Murderer' is a surprisingly clever film from Gainsborough. I had heard very little about it before I started watching which is always a positive when it comes to film noir.

The film centres around an unhappily married couple named Lee and Vivian. Vivian is consistently unfaithful to Lee, and Lee is pathologically paranoid that she is cheating on him. Normally he can't find any proof, but seems to take it for granted that she will play away when he goes off on his business trips. One time however, he comes back early from his trip away, and finds several letters to his wife that solidify his fears. Confronting the lover, he persuades him to write Vivian a farewell letter before offing him, believing he has created the perfect murder. But in cases like this, there is always something that goes wrong...

Great acting for Eric Portman, Greta Gynt is beautiful and Dennis Price is suitably smarmy.

A little hidden gem in my opinion, with a cracking ending I wasn't expecting.

The Pregnancy Pact - 2010 ***

 

One of the scary things about this movie is how acceptable it was becoming for teenage girls to get pregnant because of a supposed pact. Thora Birch, now an up and coming reporter goes back to her old school to research and discover the truth about why there have been a sudden increase in pregnancies amongst a group of girls without any good reason. It's quite a well done film, obviously based on true events at Gloucester, but it's disturbing the lengths teenagers can go to when it comes to being a part of a gang.

The Never Come Back - 1932 *

 

I think Dorothy Sebastian is the only thing that vaguely contributed to this otherwise dire film. The other actors were wooden and unemotional, the plotline was rubbish (a boxer getting injured then having to go back to fighting to help a struggling young starlet) and the production values left a lot to be desired. I wasn't expecting much from this mediocre piece, but I still hoped to be vaguely entertained. I was not.

Accidental Obsession - 2015 ****

 

A beautiful, intelligent lawyer named Heather believes she is finally riding high after winning the biggest legal case in her career. She has her eye on a handsome new man and has just met a potential new friend Vanessa after a minor car crash. The only negative pointer is her old flame Ray, who seems intent on restarting their relationship to the point of obsession. Oh, and then there's Vanessa, who seems to be a bit over keen on Heather and is starting to invade all her personal time, dress like her, walk like her, act like her. She is also furious that Heather's ex is sniffing around. What could she possibly want?

I really enjoyed this, I found the acting great, and Josie Davis is strangely becoming one of my most liked actors in lifetime movies. She's got a strong, independent vibe which I am drawn to.

(NOIR) The Sleeping Tiger - 1954 ***

This was Joseph Losey's first British production after being blacklisted from America. Sadly he had to direct the film under a pseudonym for fear of being outed which I find such a terrible shame.

Dirk Bogarde is a boorish thug who attempts to steal from a prestigious psychiatrist at gunpoint. Luckily, the psychiatrist overpowers him, and presents him with two options - either Frank can go to jail or he can come to stay at Dr Edmonds' house and be the subject of tests and analysis in an attempt to reform him. Frank agrees to come home with Dr Edmonds, but comes as quite a surprise to Dr Edmonds' wife Glenda who is only learning first-hand of the situation. Understandably, she behaves in a cold manner to Frank, and cannot understand why her husband has taken this step.

As time goes by however, Glenda starts to soften towards Frank, a decision that could lead to tragic consequences.

Bogarde and Smith are excellent. Alexis Smith is beautiful and performs with charm and suitable dry wit.

The Man Who Played God - 1932 ****

 

'The Man Who Played God' is a rather sad, poignant little piece. Bette Davis isn't the standout performance here, she is gently pushed aside by George Arliss who plays a wonderful concert pianist Montgomery Royale who tragically goes deaf after a bomb goes off whilst he is performing. Initially  distraught, Montgomery gradually starts to begin to learn how to lip read, picking up conversations between people of a private nature. Instead of this upsetting him, Montgomery decides to use his newfound gift in a selfless, positive light to help people with their problems. One of these selfless acts involves his relationship with fiancée Grace, who has fallen for another man.

A little known gem, and worth a watch.

Obvious Child - 2014 *****

 

 

 

Donna's world of quirky fantasy suddenly comes crashing in around her when she finds out that she is pregnant after a one night stand with a graduate student named Max.

As a stand up comedienne, Donna is used to having people laugh at her, and she doesn't mind laughing alongside them, but when her boyfriend leaves her because of her constant referral to their private life in her sketches and then she loses her job, she begins to realise that the world isn't all about non stop jokes and amusing insults. She needs to take control and grow up for the first time. Add a pregnancy into the mix and things are going to get really messy.

Quite a good film, I liked it's originality and enjoyed the adlibbed interaction between the characters.

Falling in Love - 1984 ***

 

Not a bad film really. Quite a sweet attempt by De Niro and Streep, but it really cannot compare to 'Bridges of Madison County' which can make me weep and weep uncontrollably.

Molly and Frank are two married commuters on the same train everyday, but they have never really had anything to do with each other. Neither is fulfilled in their relationship, and both feel lost and unappreciated. That is until they bump into each other whilst out Christmas shopping and realise they have more in common than they first realised. The two actors don't make a particularly good couple, and I wouldn't rate the chemistry highly in the slightest, but it's a fluffy rom-com that leaves you with a bit of a warm glow afterwards and it's not a bad film overall.

Hot Pepper - 1933 **

 

It was an exciting moment for me to finally watch Lupe Velez on screen. I've researched a lot about her, both early career and death and it was magical to finally see her. The film, apart from Velez's presence however, was extremely disappointing. There was nothing particularly funny about either of the 2 male counterparts, and they seemed to perform as unfunny Laurel and Hardy-esque characters. One seemed to delight in 'arresting' people with his fake police badges. They are equally taken by the fiery 'Hot Pepper' who stows herself away into a cargo boat from South America to bring her to America to launch her career. Whilst Velez is gorgeous in every single way, she does have a rather psychotic personality, one minute charming and sexy, the next screaming and becoming violent (which was very like her personal life). I feel this was maybe the wrong film to start with for my introduction to Lupe. I can't imagine this was a highlight in her career.  

Day-Time Wife - 1939 ****

 

This was just adorable! And Linda Darnell is the most mature 16 year old to play an older character that I have ever seen!

Jane has been blissfully married to Ken for nearly 2 years. And as the day approaches she looks forward to the inevitable celebration that will occur once her husband is home from work. But there's a problem. When Ken gets home he doesn't have slightest clue of the day, supposedly after having being kept late at the office, or notice Jane's excitable manner. Jane doesn't let it phase her too much though, until she starts to notice that Ken is spending a lot of extra time at work, most notably with his young, beautiful secretary. Her friend who has been married countless times tells Jane it seems likely that Ken is 'playing away' because business men usually fall for their secretaries, and when Jane discovers actual proof of Ken's infidelities, she decides to get her own back in the most glamorous way possible - she finds herself a job as the secretary of Ken's rival Bernard Dexter.

I really loved this film, and considering I have never heard of it before now, I was enchanted by it. Tyrone and Linda make such a gorgeous couple, and it's great to hear that they went on to make 3 more films together. Lovely, light-hearted, gentle comedy.

(NOIR) Inner Sanctum - 1948 ****

 

Based on the late 40s radio mystery plays, 'Inner Sanctum' is a fascinating little noir about what happens to dodgy people who share close quarters.

Told from the view of a flashback on a train, we meet Harold, who after finding himself on the run from the police because of a murder he's involved in takes lodgings in a boarding house run by a kindly woman and her husband. What becomes apparent soon after arriving however is that Harold has seen the couple's son Billy somewhere before. Surely he couldn't be the same boy that Harold tried to murder near the train station after Billy witnessed something he shouldn't have? And why does the beautiful woman who also lives in the boarding house find him so interesting? Can Harold keep up the charade of innocence, or is he already starting to crack?

I found this little known noir rather excellent, and it's so worth the wait.

Behind Closed Doors - 1931 ****

 

Beautiful secretary Mary Linden is smitten by Jim Duneen, the laddish salesman hoping to land himself a better job as an executive. Mary is able to orchestrate this for him, and he is soon sitting in the President's chair happy as Larry. The only trouble is, because of his high position he is now starting to neglect Mary, taking her for granted, hiring an extra assistant and openly flirting with other women in front of her. Mary is devastated, and tries to find solace in the arms of married, yet devoted Ronnie. Once Jim realises what he might lose, he desperately tries to win Mary back.

Mary Astor is gorgeous here, and I can't help but guess that the time she was filing this coincided with the infamous scandal of her 'red diary' which contained the memoirs of all the men she had slept with... behind her husband's back. This gives an added juiciness to the film where she plays a meek and proper secretary.

Convenience - 2015 ** 1/2

 

Attempting to rob an all night garage, two idiots end up bungling their plan and getting themselves jobs there for the night instead. It's got some funny parts, and Ray Panthaki does a good job in his post-Eastenders role, but you can tell it's a film that's 'trying too hard.' One of those films where the majority of comic moments appear in the trailer, and when you break it down there isn't much left in the story that can make you laugh. Also, I don't know where Vicky McClure has come from but she has zero personality and isn't the greatest choice for her part.

The Outer Gate - 1937 ***

 

'The Outer Gate' works very well for what it is - a simple story and plot acted very well. The premise is revenge, and what happens when you get tarred with the same brush .

Bob has been working for his girlfriend's father John for a while now, and feels he is effectively part of the family, so when someone embezzles a lot of money, Bob can't quite believe it when John accuses him of the crime and he is sent to jail for a number of years. Fast forward to his release, and Bob is still feeling hurt and angry after John's betrayal. John, feeling bad, tells Bob he now trusts him completely, but Bob isn't about to forgive him anytime soon.

Well acted, easy storyline to follow, solid performances.

(HORROR) The Perfect Husband - 2014 ****

 

'The Perfect Husband' starts off well, with so much potential and promise, then it descends into something even more horrific than imagined - and it's pretty darn good! Gabriella Wright hasn't got a particularly overbearing screen presence but this does work in her favour, and her onscreen husband alternates between wimpy and terrifying in each scene which keeps you on your toes, never knowing when he might snap.

A young couple named Nicola and Viola go to an old cabin in the woods (where have you heard this before) to rest and recuperate after Viola suffers an awful miscarriage leading her to a nervous breakdown. Very soon after arriving, Viola starts realising that Nicola is behaving oddly, he's rather possessive, snappy and angry interspersed with abject apologies soon after. Added to which, Viola is having strange dreams involving her miscarried baby, and feels like she is being spied on.

This sounds pretty good to start with, but the second part of it really blows your mind, and overall I thought it was extremely well done with a nice build up of tension and ghastly climax.

Margin for Error - 1943 ****

 

I have always found Joan Bennett to be one of the most beautiful of the 40s stars. She's just so graceful and elegant that you can't help but be mesmerised by her screen presence.

Here Bennett plays Sophia, the wife of an the infamous German Consul Karl Baumer who is in deep water after having squandered money for the sole purpose of sabotaging an American Port at the end of a radio speech made by Hitler. After former police officer Moe is ordered to become Karl's bodyguard he makes friends with Sophia, who confides in him that she loathes and detests her husband and has only stayed with him to make sure her father is released from prison. Moe also finds Karl a horrendous human and cannot understand how anyone can support his regime. Add into the mix Karl's secretary who is becoming less and less dedicated to Karl as he asks him to complete tasks he does not morally accept. Tensions are running high as the radio speech approaches, but who will crack first?

Otto Preminger does a fantastic job as the morally bankrupt Consul and the panic and stress is outlined beautifully. This was an incredibly powerful, sharply executed piece of film work.

Whispering Whoopee - 1930 ***

 

'Whispering Whoopee' is an enjoyable little gem from 1930 featuring the gorgeous Thelma Todd at her most amusing. She was so much fun to watch, you could tell from her face how much fun she was having filming and acting her role.

Charley Chase is hoping to land an important business deal, and uses 3 women from an escort service to do so, also getting himself into hot water in the process. Thelma is of course the one who really stands out from the 3, and delivers all her lines with wit and sarcastic charm. Worth a watch.

(HORROR) Halloween Night - 2006 *

 

'The Asylum' has churned out another monstrosity with it's take on 'Halloween.' Dire as you would imagine, 'Halloween Night' centres around a young boy named Chris who is put away in an insane asylum after watching his mother killed by 2 thugs. Years later he emerges as a psycho and goes on a killing spree on Halloween night... how original... Just an awful, very badly acted film, but sometimes that's all you can expect from 'The Asylum'.

Chance at Heaven - 1933 ****

 

'Chance at Heaven' is a rather adorable piece of fluff that I found myself watching the other day. What happens when you believe the grass is greener and can't be content with what you already have. Lovely Ginger Rogers plays the practical, thoughtful Marje, who is engaged to immature, yet handsome gas station owner Blackie. Blackie's head is turned however when a ditzy socialite named Glory crashes her car into his petrol pumps and falls head over heels for him. Selfishly he ditches Marje and runs off with Glory, but things have a habit of working themselves out in the best possible way, and Marje isn't one to give up on her man. Nice little film and you can't help but come out of it feeling besotted with Ginger.

The Mad Ghoul - 1943 ***

 

A spate of horror films from Universal studies produced a handful of rather good entries that would give Hammer Horror a run for their money. 'The Mad Ghoul' was one such movie, nerve wracking, strange and downright eerie. Dr Morris is curious about the effects of nerve gas which he learned was used in ancient rituals of dissecting bodies. A young student of his named Ted offers to help him test his theories and experiment on animals. Ted's mind is not completely on his work however, and is instead taken up with his beautiful girlfriend Isabel. Isabel is not as enamoured with Ted as he would like to think sadly, and confides in Dr Morris that the relationship is going sour. After this intense heart-to-heart talk, Dr Morris realises he has fallen for Isabel, and finds Ted might be the only solution.

Creepy film! Worth a watch.

Luxury Liner - 1933 **

 

'Luxury Liner' could be seen as a poor man's 'Grand Hotel', but doesn't have nearly as much class or glamour to live up to it's name. The story of a group of people who's lives entwine and change during the course of the trip is a rather weak one. George Brent isn't too bad as the jilted husband with a violent streak, and Alice White is rather cute as Milli, the girl who desperately wants to be up on the 1st class deck, but instead is stuck in 3rd class.

The film is has a rather weak anti-climax at the end, and I'm not sure the director thought it through properly. But never mind, there are definitely worse films.

Before I Hang - 1940 ****

 

                                'Before I Hang' sees Boris Karloff as elderly Dr Garth imprisoned for poisoning a patient of his, having originally hoped to reverse the aging process on him, with tragic results.

Once inside the jail, he is sentenced to die within 2 weeks, but allowed to use the prison laboratory up until that point to work on his miracle elixir.

As his judgement day draws closer, Dr Garth decides to test his elixir on himself, without realising he has tainted himself with the blood of a dangerous murderer at the same time. This sets him on a terrifying rampage that no one is able to stop.

Karloff is good in this, and has a suitably Jekyll/Hyde personality to fit his character. Creepy stuff.

In the Bedroom - 2001 **

 

'In the Bedroom' cannot be considered a masterpiece. It is fairly dull in some areas, followed by sudden moments that make you gasp. It follows the lives and relationships of various people all connected, as well as the trials, violent domestic acts, tribulations and infidelities they face. The finale is a tragedy for everyone concerned. I thought the cast was pretty good, but there is no way I would call it 'The Best American Film this Year.'

Heroes for Sale - 1933 ***

 

A rather morbid one to watch, but important as it is part of the 'Forbidden Hollywood' series of movies that slipped through the Hayes Code net in the early 30s. It was wonderful to see my first ever Richard Barthelmess offering regardless of the plot..

Tom is a wounded soldier from WW1 who is finding his new reality in the middle of a Depression-era state very uninviting. He finds it impossible to work, no one will take him on, and his friends have turned their backs on him. Added to which, he has developed a serious addiction to morphine which has turned him into a very hardened character. Luckily, Tom finds a way to beat his addiction and ends up in Chicago working in a launderette and settled down with a lovely woman. But tensions in Chicago never stay buried for long, and soon Tom is balancing precariously on the edge once again, fearing for his job, his relationship and his general wellbeing.

I found the subject matter rather depressing, and wish that I had seen Barthelmess in something more light-hearted, but nevertheless it showed his character and the sort of actor he can be.

(NOIR) Fall Guy - 1947 ****

 

                                                  'Fall Guy' is a surprisingly good movie, with a good twist, a steady plot and an appearance from my old favourite Elisha Cook, Jr.

Tom Cochrane is in a bit of a bind - he's woken up after a late night out drinking and is promptly arrested for the murder of a woman at the same bar. The thing is, he doesn't have any memory of murdering or hurting said woman, and things get weirder when he is bailed out of jail by his girlfriend's brother, and they see the dead woman walking down the street. Added to which, the man he spent time with in the bar has no record of him. Is he going mad? Or delusional? Or something else more sinister? Cue a peculiar story that I really enjoyed.

(HORROR) Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers) - 1988 ***

 

A film that made me laugh more than scream, I was so amused by this it was unreal. I wouldn't even class this as a horror myself, more as a black comedy, because there was nothing in it that worried me or made me panic about being on my own in the dark afterwards. Added to which, if Gunnar Hansen feels he can be in a film like this then it's going to be most amusing. It's like when Robert England ends up in horror films - they are normally awful.

A private eye is hired to track down a teenage runaway named Linnea but ends up stumbling into a cult of chainsaw loving prostitutes who murder on behalf of their 'master'.

It sounds a bit twisted but it's so funny!

(NOIR) Fear in the Night - 1947 ****

 

'Fear In the Night' was a rather nifty little B-noir. It did well, had a decent plot, but was only really let down by it's ending. Still, it was a very short film and to give the director credit there was a lot was crammed into the 72 minutes.

A meek and mild bank clerk named Vince has a horrifying dream that he has murdered a man in a locked room full of mirrors whilst a woman he doesn't know is breaking into a safe. Concerned by this dream, the clerk cannot shake the thought in his mind that he might've really hurt someone, but decides to try and turn his mind to other matters as there is no proof of any accident. He goes off for the day with some of his family and they become isolated at an old mansion because of a torrential thunderstorm. Exploring the house, Vince realises with dread that the mirrored room does exist, and it is all too familiar to him.

The 'nightmare coming true' scenario is always a popular idea for a film, and noir in particular uses this in a number of their productions. Even with a resolution it doesn't make it any less terrifying, and despite the bad quality of the film, I found it to be worth my time.

(HORROR) Horror Hospital - 1973 **

 

You can tell from the horrible poster that 'Horror Hospital' isn't going to be of the best quality. And you would be correct. The only thing that made it vaguely memorable was the presence of Robin Asquith as the geeky, walking fashion disaster, wannabe musician who ends up at a health resort after following a pretty girl off the train (and getting her pants off in record breaking time) and uncovers a load of lunatics in the middle of a scientific experiment to brainwash the residents of the resort into being totally submissive to their ever command. This is definitely a B movie and as far as I'm concerned there was nothing 'scary' about it. I am surprised someone like Dennis Price would lend his name to this rubbish but equally nonplussed that Robin Asquith would. Was also slightly nauseated by the hideously shot sex scene 15 minutes into the movie between Asquith and his new lady friend - it was like watching through a changing room mirror and having everything highlighted and illuminated...

The Hitch Hiker - 1953 ****

 

The Hitchhiker is one of those little known films that leaves you feeling pretty tense inside after the credits roll. It's an absurdly simple plot, and it only has one actor that anyone might've heard of before, yet it's exceedingly good.

2 pals off for a weekend fishing trip get the fright of their lives when the hitcher that they pick up turns out to be a ruthless serial killer in the middle of his murderous spree. There is no way the killer is letting the two friends go, and due to his defective eye that never closes, it seems impossible for the men to make a run for it without him catching and shooting them. The film is a battle of wits between the 2 men and their captor, and comes to a terrifying climax at the end scene. Very frightening in my opinion.

Marriage on the Rocks - 1965 ****

 

Val and Dan have been married for 19 years, but during this time Dan has become rather distant in his affection to Val and also pretty dull and uninteresting. Val is desperate for excitement in her relationship and after a while she can't take anymore and wants to get divorced. Dan is devastated and turns to his best pal Ernie for comfort. Despite Ernie regularly congratulating Dan on his practical and comfortable life and stating how jealous he is of this lifestyle he is actually a booze swizzling, floosy chasing bachelor who adores single life and wouldn't change it for anything. Egged on by Ernie's suggestion to whisk Valerie away for a second honeymoon to Mexico, Dan then realises he has to rush back to work at the last minute to save his company from collapsing, but doesn't have time to tell Val. Ernie volunteers to go to Mexico to explain it all to her and... you can guess what happens... I thought it was very funny, a great cast and all the actors were chosen as the right characters to play them. Sinatra can be very amusing, and you can tell he and Dean are great chums off screen. Kerr is just lovely and so elegant in every single way.

The Notorious Landlandy - 1962 ***

 

Bit of a shock to see an aging Fred Astaire in such a 'risque' film as this, but lovely to see Novak looking all beautiful, and Lemmon being his usual goofy self. Carly can't get anyone to rent a room in her house after her husband mysteriously disappears because everyone thinks she had something to do with it. Enter gormless William Gridley, just flown in from America and completely out of the loop with anything murder or disappearance related. Finding this room in such a lovely apartment is like a dream come true for him and he jumps at the chance, having no idea he might be in the same building as a suspected killer. His boss Franklyn is furious that he has got himself in this predicament, that is until he actually meets Carly...

Silly fluff, not a bad film really.

The Bride Walks Out - 1936 ***

 

One day I might've seen all Barbara Stanwyck's movies, but I fear I still have far to go as she has an outstandingly large back catalogue and that is both terrifying and exciting!

Barbara plays Carolyn, an independent and headstrong gal working as a fashion model who is entranced by Michael, an engineer with hardly any money who happens to say all the right things to her. On a whim, they decide to get married, but soon after Carolyn realises that Michael is utterly useless with money, doesn't save and spends what they don't have. To make matters worse, he convinced her to give up the job she loved, and they are now living on a shoestring of his meagre earnings and she is barely seeing a penny. But when you are in financial difficulty, sometimes people appear out of the blue to make things better, and this is what happens. The only problem is, the person that appears to offer financial support is her old love, romantic playboy Hugh who is still besotted by her and willing to do anything to make her happy. It doesn't take long for Carolyn to start wondering whether her marriage was a bad idea, and she is becoming increasingly fond of Hugh again. It's not going to end happily for anyone.

Good film, love Stanwyck.

The Blue Lamp - 1950 ****

 

'The Blue Lamp' was a film always recommended by my dad, I think partly because it's a good film, and partly because it shows the loyalty of the policed force in the 1950s, and the lengths they will go to help and avenge each other.

A new and rather inexperienced policeman named Andy is paired up with an old reliable policeman named George, and they both go out on their beat together so Andy can pick up tips and learn the tricks of the trade. However, what they aren't counting on is being caught in the middle of a dangerous robbery that goes terribly wrong. As a result of this, George is dreadfully wounded, and although he is only a new recruit, Andy takes it upon himself to search for and track down the men responsible for putting George in hospital.

Dirk Bogarde plays a bad character which is always a bit of a change, and Jack Warner was a staple in 1950s crime dramas so it's always nice to see him.

Worth a watch to see the difference in police law and the process of catching criminals as opposed to now.

 

(HORROR) The Visit - 2015 ***

 

2 children head off to meet their maternal grandparents for the first time but get a shock when they discover some terrifying truths surrounding the couple.

Considering the time we have had to wait for Shyamalan to release another film I was really expecting that I would enjoy it more. Instead, it feels like all found footage type horror movies, that the premise seems good and then it turns into the biggest let-down. I'm not saying it's an awful film, because there are certainly parts that make you jump, it just feels altogether like it's not been put together very well.

For one thing, it seems rather strange to me that you would send your two young kids off on a train to be met by your parents without either going with them or assuring that the children know who they are or who is meeting them. For another, there is a weird situation going on between the mother and her parents whereby she hasn't spoken to them properly for at least a decade after a falling out, and therefore it would seem peculiar to then send your children to stay with them.

The grandparents themselves are obviously very strange. The grandfather is forgetful and incontinent, and the grandmother wanders about in the middle of the night with what appears to be the onset of dementia. Not a hugely safe environment for your children, but there you go. When the 'twist' comes out, it's a shock but also a disappointment. Be warned.

(HORROR) A Taste of Evil - 1971 ****

 

After spending seven years in an asylum after being raped when she was a child Susan is welcomed back to her family home with open arms by her mother Miriam. Miriam is now in a volatile relationship with an alcoholic named Harold whom Susan quickly suspecting is stalking her around the house and gardens near where the attack happened. Things however are not what they seem, and Susan soon realises that she cannot trust anyone.

A rather gritty and gripping little thriller, very enjoyable, easy to watch and downright scary!

(HORROR) Something Wicked - 2014 **

 

The ultimate tragedy is not that this film was horrifically bad, but that Brittany Murphy looked so close to death during the filming. Despite the release date of 2014 this film was actually made in 2009 but was put on the shelf for a number of years whilst the director decided whether it should be released. It's not hard to see why it was so hard to decide.

The story centres around a young couple, Christine and James, who have decided to get married when a tragic accident leaves Christine without her parents. The couple make the decision to go ahead with the wedding they have planned, but as the day gets closer, Christina becomes terrified that someone is stalking her.

The premise sounds a lot better than the film actually is, and Murphy spoils it with her drugged up, wooden performance.

 

Anna Nicole - 2013 ***

 

Agnes Bruckner does a fantastic performance of Anna Nicole Smith here, in some ways even more realistically than Anna herself ever did. The story is tough going, about Anna's troubled upbringing, her experience of stripping, right through until her marriage to octogenarian Harold Marshall. It also chronicles her dependence on drugs, her relationship with her son and her out of control demeanour that ultimately takes a toll on her. Hard not to find ANS's story very sad and disturbing, but one must remember that despite her obsession with being a celebrity she was effectively catapulted into a life of fame and fortune without really knowing how to deal with it, and therefore ending up paying the ultimate price. Worth a watch.

(HORROR) Dark Summer - 2015 *

 

Another horror film that has such a scary poster it lulls you into a false sense of security thinking you are about to see a great picture. The movie itself is pretty rubbish, and like so many others of it's genre. Daniel is a troubled 17 year old under house arrest for the obsessive stalking of his unrequited love Mona. However, what he doesn't count on is that Mona will be keeping track of his whereabouts, with terrifying results for both him and his two friends.

It's exceedingly badly done, and I really didn't enjoy this.

Dames - 1934 **

 

Joan Blondell is a rather hard actress to decipher. I find her amusing and infuriating in equal measures, and here she continues to display all the traits that make her a complete pain to watch. She definitely didn't have the beauty of Jean Harlow, or the wit of Carole Lombard, and it seems strange that she was so popular. But that is a personal opinion. Dick Powell was also rather popular during the early 30s, and I honestly can't see the appeal. His talent was being flashy and brusque which fit rather well in the Busby Berkley-esque style of this film, that and the quite frankly garish musical numbers, which include Blondell screeching along to 'Then Girl at the Ironing Board', and Powell imploring Ruby Keeler to 'Try to see it My Way.' This is no 'Fred and Ginger' production, neither in style, nor in actor nor in song. Apart from the odd scene, overall this doesn't feature highly on my list of likeable films.

My Woman - 1933 **

 

Such a disappointing movie. Helen Twelvetrees is so beautiful and funny ordinarily, but I found her entire performance drained and uninspiring. Wallace Ford was below par here too, which was a crying shame, as usually his work is excellent.

Connie is a stunning singer and dancer, eager to get a big break for her untalented and arrogant husband Chick. In doing so she makes friends with a radio executive named John, who seems to find the good in Chick that no one else can. When Chick becomes famous, he abandons Connie, and she finds support in John. A rather poor and pointless film.

(HORROR) Body Bags - 1992 ****

 

I don't think I have ever seen such a good cast in a horror film before! John Carpenter heads up this terrifying trio of gruesome tales, with appearances from Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, Roger Corman, Tobe Hooper and even Twiggy! We visit a gas station in the middle of the night, where a serial killer is stalking a young girl. Next is a man obsessed with growing a thick head of hair, regardless of how much it will take over his life. Third is the story of a man who loses his eye in a tragic accident, and is given a replacement eye from a murderer, killed in the gas chamber - what will he see?

I genuinely thought this was a great film, it was just the right length, the acting was good, it was deliciously scary but also very dry and amusing. Very worthwhile.

(HORROR) Pin: A Plastic Nightmare - 1988 ****

 

Ursula and Leon have grown up alongside their father's obsessive relationship with his plastic mannequin named 'Pin' (short for Pinocchio). The father makes Pin talk, and uses this technique to belittle and put down his children, particularly his son. When both their parents die tragically, the children are left the house, and as a result, are lumbered with Pin. Ursula can't stand the doll, but Leon slowly becomes more and more besotted with him, throwing his voice and pretending to be Pin, and demanding that his sister respect the doll, and talk to it like you would any adult. When Ursula finds herself a decent boyfriend named Stan, Leon immediately insists that he is invited over for dinner, and gets to meet 'Pin' for himself... Such a creepy film, and rather well done for late 80s, I enjoyed it, and found the build-up of tension and suspense was layered on just right.

Trainwreck - 2015 **

 

'Trainwreck' is pretty much typical American humour. It's too over the top, and although there are some aspects that might make you snigger, overall it's just embarrassing. This Amy Schumer has suddenly appeared on television as the new 'funny girl' when in fact she's not in the slightest. The idea of the film is that a girl who believes that commitment and monogamy don't really exist since her father drilled this philosophy into her when she was young. She then starts to fall in love for the first time with someone. Isn't that utterly hilarious? No, exactly.

She's actually rather too mannish and downright gross a lot of the time to be amusing. The guy playing her love interest is the most unlikely sort of person that would break her 'relationship drought.' It's just stupid really. Then again, I didn't care much for 'Bridesmaids'.

Cloudburst - 1951 ****

 

Another wonderfully hidden gem! I love it when that happens! I happened to find this film on a very old DVD at the back of my cupboard. What a treat!

John is an expert code breaker. He lives happily with his pregnant wife Carol until one evening when tragedy strikes and Carol is killed in a hit and run.

John is rather calm in the days after Carol's death, and welcomes the arrival of his relatives to look after him at home, when in fact he is secretly plotting a way to find the perpetrators and kill them the same way they callously killed his wife. Will he track them down? And if he commits a crime, will he himself be punished?

The suspense in this is thrilling, and the length is just right. It leaves you wanting more, without feeling rushed, or too long. Robert Preston was excellent and put on a really heart-felt performance. Really, really enjoyed it.

(HORROR) Ginger Snaps - 2000 ****

 

I'd wanted to see 'Ginger Snaps' for years, and only now got a chance to watch it. I personally loved it. I found the acting was gritty and very raw, the story was original and the attitude from the two girls towards the other characters was incredibly cool! One of those films I probably should've seen when I was going through my teenage angst-filled days. Probably the first film depicting a werewolf that got everyone very excited I would think. Worth a watch as it really has become quite a cult movie, and I can't wait to see the sequels. PS Katharine Isabelle is surprisingly beautiful!

(HORROR) Cassadaga - 2011 **

 

Another rather rubbish excuse for a horror film. Roger Ebert even reviewed it stating it was 'obsessed with grisly parts and not much else' which I think sums it up quite nicely. A young deaf woman attempts to communicate with the spirit of her dead sister during a séance, but accidently speaks to a murdered woman. There are countless amounts of gore, and a rather weak story.

(HORROR) Blood Diner - 1987 *

 

Awfully produced horror about two brothers who operate a roadside diner, killing people and using their body parts to make the food. The two brothers are brainwashed by their uncle and told that they must create a fantasy woman using different body parts that they can use as a sacrifice to an ancient deity. One of those films where you feel you have missed a lot when in fact it's just utter rubbish from start to finish. It's such a badly filmed movie it doesn't really even warrant a star.

Ten Cents a Dance - 1931 ***

 

Barbara has a rather demeaning job working at a dance hall being paid 10 cents to dance with various men for the length of one song. She does a favour for her neighbour Eddie whom she has a soft spot for but has also caught the eye of a wealthy admirer named Bradley who wants to lavish her with gifts and money. Eddie is rather fond of gambling however despite marrying Barbara and attempting to be a good husband he has racked up a lot of debt and been unfaithful. Barbara, feeling she has nowhere to turn, confides in Bradley...

Rather well done, and I especially enjoyed the theme tune, so catchy!

Cake - 2014 ****

 

'Cake' is such a difficult film to watch, mainly because its a rather raw topic, and also partly because it's incredibly easy to fall under the spell of becoming addicted to prescription medication. This is what happens to Claire, who finds she can't go a day without taking a constant supply of tablets for the chronic pain she suffers after being involved in a tragic accident that killed her son. She goes to a support group for fellow pain sufferers, but this doesn't really seem to work, especially when a member of the group named Nina commits suicide not long after she joins. Claire then begins on a troubling journey to try to find herself again, and also starts seeing visions of Nina everywhere she goes. This prompts her to approach Nina's widow to find out the answers as to why Nina chose to die.

Jennifer Aniston has proved that she can really act here, and I thought her choice to film the whole movie without any makeup was a strong choice. She puts a lot of heart and passion into her scenes, and before long you genuinely believe that it's Aniston with the chronic pain. Very bleak, but exceedingly well done. I enjoyed it as much as I could've under the miserable circumstances.