Shiny Movie Guide

Shrooms

2011-08-30T02:19:00.006+01:00

Shrooms (2007)
Dir: Paddy Breathnach

A group of friends experience creepy visions while tripping on mushrooms in the woods.
A poor effort that rips off dozens of better movies without adding anything new. The acting is so weak and the characters are so unlikable that you struggle to care if any of them survives. While it has some creepy imagery, it fails to build any suspense or tension and the scares barely register.

Story: 2
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 3

Captivity

2011-08-30T00:49:00.001+01:00

Captivity (2007)
Dir: Roland Joffé

A man and a woman wake to find themselves trapped in a cellar, where they are psychologically tortured.
Inept thriller that has nothing to recommend about it. The acting is woeful and the characters lack the depth necessary to make you care for them. There's nothing in the way of scares or gore, and the film is utterly predictable throughout.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 2
Gore: 3
Overall: 2

Last House On The Left, The (2009)

2011-08-30T00:39:00.006+01:00

The Last House On The Left (2009)
Dir: Dennis Iliadis

After brutally assaulting two women, a gang unknowingly finds refuge at a house belonging to the parents of one of the victims.
Impressive remake that improves on Wes Craven's original. The characters are more fleshed out and the acting is a huge step up. The director keeps things at a good pace throughout and resists the temptation for cheap shocks, at least that is until the unnecessary ending.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 4
Gore: 7
Overall: 7

Antichrist

2011-08-30T00:21:00.003+01:00

Antichrist (2009)
Dir: Lars von Trier

A grieving couple retreats to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage.
An experimental horror film from Lars von Trier that focuses on the different stages of grief after a terrible accident. The acting is strong and it's visually rich, but the surreal aspects only serve to cover up a story that doesn't really go anywhere.

Story: 4
Acting: 7
Directing: 5
Scares: 2
Gore: 8
Overall: 3

Collector, The

2011-08-08T00:47:00.001+01:00

The Collector (2009)
Dir: Marcus Dunstan

A man breaks in to a house only to find the rooms have all been booby trapped.
An interesting concept that feels like it could have been made as a prequel to Saw. It is well directed and entertaining, despite some sizeable plot holes that start to distract. Also the film focuses more on the different gruesome traps than on trying to develop its characters, but it's still a worthwhile effort.

Story: 6
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 6
Gore: 7
Overall: 6

Crazies, The (2010)

2010-09-13T02:31:00.006+01:00

The Crazies (2010)
Dir: Breck Eisner

The inhabitants of a small town go insane when a toxin contaminates their water supply.
A decent remake that improves on the original. The bigger budget allows for more action and thrills, and the acting is solid from everyone involved. Eisner stages some impressive scenes and keeps the tension racked up throughout. While there's nothing really original here, it's still an enjoyable update.

Story: 5
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 6
Gore: 5
Overall: 6

New Moon

2010-09-13T01:50:00.002+01:00

New Moon (2009)
Dir: Chris Weitz

When the Cullens leave town, Bella finds comfort in the arms of childhood friend Jacob.
Dire sequel that fails to put right the wrongs of the first movie. The directing is even worse this time around and the acting suffers too, with the three leads struggling to make the story convince. It picks up a little towards the end with the introduction of new characters, but the series desperately needs a better director.

Story: 3
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 1
Gore: 2
Overall: 3

Stepfather, The (2009)

2010-09-13T00:42:00.004+01:00

The Stepfather (2009)
Dir: Nelson McCormick

A young man returns home from military school and starts to become suspicious of his mother's new boyfriend.
This extremely poor remake has none of the original films atmosphere. The director seems to have forgotten to provide any scares or thrills whatsoever. Dylan Walsh is a poor replacement for Terry O'Quinn and there's one too many clichéd scenes at the end.

Story: 3
Acting: 2
Directing: 2
Scares: 2
Gore: 3
Overall: 2

Stepfather, The (1987)

2010-09-11T00:55:00.004+01:00

The Stepfather (1987)
Dir: Joseph Ruben

Things turn deadly when a man realises the family he has married into isn't the perfect home he has been looking for.
Solid thriller that is carried by Terry O'Quinn's complex and menacing performance. The opening sequence is wonderfully creepy and the rest of the film has a suitably tense feel. While the plot is fairly obvious, it's still an interesting study into the mind of a psychopath.

Story: 5
Acting: 8
Directing: 6
Scares: 5
Gore: 6
Overall: 6

Blood And Chocolate

2010-09-09T02:24:00.005+01:00

Blood And Chocolate (2007)
Dir: Katja von Garnier

A young werewolf is torn between keeping her family's secret and her love for a man.
A tedious experience that doesn't do enough to keep you interested. While the Budapest setting is atmospheric and provides some suitably gothic locations, the story is dull and riddled with plot holes. The casting is a little odd too, with the actors looking uneasy with the script and unable to sell the themes of the movie.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 1
Gore: 3
Overall: 3

Splice

2010-09-08T04:17:00.004+01:00

Splice (2009)
Dir: Vincenzo Natali

Two scientists create a new organism by splicing together human and animal DNA.
An intelligent Sci-Fi horror that unfortunately loses its way towards the end. The plot raises some interesting moral questions and the CG effects are also impressive, the director cleverly using them only to enhance the character of Dren. The film becomes a bit too formulaic in the end and falls short as a result.

Story: 7
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 4
Gore: 6
Overall: 6

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

2010-09-08T03:11:00.015+01:00

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)
Dir: George A. Romero

A group of people fight to stay alive when the recently deceased return from the grave.
This classic pretty much invented the zombie film as we now know it. By cleverly focusing the story on a small group of people in a single location, Romero creates a great amount of tension. The acting and make-up effects aren't bad for the budget, and you have to admire the influence this film has had on the genre.

Story: 6
Acting: 5
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 6
Overall: 7

Survival Of The Dead

2010-09-08T01:52:00.007+01:00

Survival Of The Dead (2009)
Dir: George A. Romero

On an island near America, two feuding clans fight to survive the zombie epidemic.
This latest offering is the weakest of Romero's zombie films and continues the series downward trend. The story is dull and devoid of scares or thrills of any kind. It comes across as more of a western than a horror film, but the acting isn't strong enough to carry any of the emotional or dramatic scenes.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 3
Gore: 6
Overall: 3

Cold Prey: Resurrection

2010-09-07T05:01:00.005+01:00

Cold Prey: Resurrection (2008)
Dir: Mats Stenberg

Jannicke wakes up in hospital only to find that the doctors have revived the killer.
Weaker than the first film, this is still a stylish and atmospheric slasher. The story picks up right where it left off and apart from learning a bit more of the killer's background, it doesn't really add anything new. The setting is creepy even though it's not as isolated as the original, and there are still some great scares.

Story: 5
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 6
Gore: 6
Overall: 6

A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)

2010-09-07T04:20:00.008+01:00

A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)
Dir: Samuel Bayer

A group of teenagers begin having nightmares about a badly scarred, knife-fingered killer.
Unnecessary remake that completely misses the point of the orginal. Classic scenes are recreated but lack substance and the best scares are thrown away. Jackie Earle Haley tries his best to make Freddy his own, but the rest of the cast are forgettable and it doesn't have a tenth of the original film's creativity.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 5
Gore: 6
Overall: 3

Wolfman, The (2010)

2010-09-07T03:36:00.007+01:00

The Wolfman (2010)
Dir: Joe Johnston

An American man returns to his ancestral homeland and is attacked by a werewolf.
What once looked like a promising update ended up as a missed opportunity resulting from a troubled production. The talented cast give it their all and the film has a nice gothic feel, but the story has been butchered so much that it doesn't make a lot of sense. The CG werewolves are terrible too.

Story: 4
Acting: 6
Directing: 3
Scares: 3
Gore: 7
Overall: 4

KM 31: Kilometre 31

2010-09-07T02:19:00.003+01:00

KM 31: Kilometre 31 (2006)
Dir: Rigoberto Castañeda

After her twin sister falls into a coma after a car accident, a woman discovers the road she was on has a history of supenatural events.
A weak Spanish language horror film that borrows its style heavily from Asian films like Ring and The Grudge. The acting is below average and the director seems more interested in the special effects than telling a story, which is why the plot feels lazy and unoriginal.

Story: 3
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 5
Gore: 4
Overall: 4

Visitors

2010-09-07T01:01:00.007+01:00

Visitors (2003)
Dir: Richard Franklin

A woman sailing around the world runs into unusually calm seas and has strange visions.
Average thriller that features a strong central performance from Radha Mitchell. She pretty much carries the movie on her own and her character's isolation is well portrayed. Unfortunately it never manages to be scary or chilling enough and more could have been done with the situation.

Story: 4
Acting: 7
Directing: 5
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 5

Pandorum

2010-09-05T03:52:00.004+01:00

Pandorum (2009)
Dir: Christian Alvart

Crew members on a spaceship awaken with no knowledge of their mission or identities.
Bizarre sci-fi horror that is a mess of ideas. The story is so muddled and full of idiotic scenes that it's hard to follow, and it's not helped by a cast of characters that are wholly unlikeable. The effects and set designs are impressive, but that's about the only things going for it.

Story: 2
Acting: 4
Directing: 2
Scares: 4
Gore: 6
Overall: 3

Paranormal Activity

2010-09-05T02:09:00.002+01:00

Paranormal Activity (2007)
Dir: Oren Peli

A couple start to believe their house is haunted after receiving nightly visits from a demonic presence.
Terrifying chiller that follows in the footsteps of The Blair Witch Project by using supposedly 'real' home video footage. The tension and scares rely on what you don't see, which makes the film all the more disturbing. It's a simple idea, but effectively realised and truly scary.

Story: 4
Acting: 5
Directing: 8
Scares: 9
Gore: 3
Overall: 7

Final Destination, The

2010-09-05T01:05:00.005+01:00

The Final Destination (2009)
Dir: David R. Ellis

After a deadly race-car crash, a group of friends soon discover they can't cheat Death.
This fourth film is a tired effort that continues the series downward trend. The scenarios feel forced and there's no sense of surprise anymore, nor does it have the fun of trying to figure out what's going to happen next. The use of 3-D only adds to the cheap feel of the whole thing.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 5
Gore: 7
Overall: 3

Daybreakers

2010-09-04T05:25:00.007+01:00

Daybreakers (2009)
Dir: Michael & Peter Spierig

In a future where vampires rule and their blood supply is dwindling, a researcher works on a way to save humankind.
A fantastic premise that should have provided us with something unique in what is becoming a stale sub-genre. Yet despite a strong visual style and a solid cast, it unfortunately runs out of ideas fast and can't quite sustain the heights of its early promise.

Story: 6
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 4
Gore: 6
Overall: 6

Shuttle

2010-09-04T04:41:00.003+01:00

Shuttle (2008)
Dir: Edward Anderson

Two women catch a late night shuttle on their way home from the airport only to find the driver has alterior motives.
Mediocre thriller which follows a pretty familiar formula. The acting is okay and the characters are sympathetic despite the dumb decisions they make. The film does have one or two tense scenes, but it's nowhere near original enough to lift it above average.

Story: 4
Acting: 5
Directing: 4
Scares: 2
Gore: 4
Overall: 4

Jennifer's Body

2010-09-04T03:28:00.002+01:00

Jennifer's Body (2009)
Dir: Karyn Kusama

A black magic ritual turns a high school cheerleader into a flesh eating succubus.
Unusual teen horror comedy that could have been so much more. While it has some interesting ideas and the cast aren't bad, it suffers from a lack of conviction. The comedy isn't funny enough and the horror isn't scary enough, leaving the film feeling pretty unsatisfying.

Story: 4
Acting: 6
Directing: 4
Scares: 3
Gore: 7
Overall: 4

Fourth Kind, The

2010-09-02T04:08:00.004+01:00

The Fourth Kind (2009)
Dir: Olatunde Osunsanmi

A psychologist investigating patients with insomnia discovers something far worse.
An interesting idea that almost works thanks to the earnest efforts of the director and cast. There are some great scares and it manages to hold your interest as you try to figure out the truth. Unfortunately the 'real' video footage means you don't always see the best bits and this is where the film loses its impact.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 6
Scares: 6
Gore: 2
Overall: 6

Dead Air (2009)

2010-09-02T03:23:00.004+01:00

Dead Air (2009)
Dir: Corbin Bernsen

A radio crew try to survive a terrorist attack on Los Angeles that turns people into zombies.
Mediocre thriller that suffers in comparison to the similarly themed Pontypool. While that film excels in its minimalism, this film struggles with amateurish directing and acting. It occasionally attempts to break out into a bigger film, but it's clear that it doesn't have the budget or the necessary talent to pull it off.

Story: 4
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 4

Pontypool

2010-09-02T02:40:00.005+01:00

Pontypool (2008)
Dir: Bruce McDonald

A small town radio station begins receiving calls about strange acts of extreme violence.
An original take on the killer virus genre, this is a well acted and cleverly directed film that deserves a bigger audience. The story follows a minimalist approach with most of the action taking place off camera and away from the main characters, creating a real sense of fear and keeping you gripped throughout.

Story: 7
Acting: 8
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 6
Overall: 7

Shutter Island

2010-09-01T04:51:00.003+01:00

Shutter Island (2010)
Dir: Martin Scorsese

Two U.S. Marshals investigate the disappearance of a patient from a mental hospital on a remote island.
Atmospheric chiller that is brilliantly directed by Scorsese. It is a meticulously crafted character study, like the old noir thrillers of the 50s, and features impressive performances from all the cast. The complex story is cleverly told and the last act twist is well handled.

Story: 8
Acting: 8
Directing: 9
Scares: 6
Gore: 3
Overall: 8

Trick 'r Treat

2010-09-01T03:57:00.003+01:00

Trick 'r Treat (2008)
Dir: Michael Dougherty

Horror anthology with four interwoven stories taking place on Halloween.
An enjoyable throwback to the old horror anthologies of the 80s. The different stories are cleverly tied together with not a weak segment amongst them. The large ensemble cast all give decent performances and there are some effective scares. A really fun film to watch on Halloween night.

Story: 8
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 6
Gore: 5
Overall: 7

Wait Until Dark (1967)

2010-09-01T03:05:00.002+01:00

Wait Until Dark (1967)
Dir: Terence Young

A blind woman is terrorised in her apartment by three criminals.
Classic chiller with a fantastic premise. The simple story is made all the better by the great performances of the cast, especially the always wonderful Audrey Hepburn in the lead. While the film has only one setting for the majority of its run time, it cleverly manages to keep you gripped right through to the tense climax.

Story: 6
Acting: 9
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 2
Overall: 7

An American Werewolf In London

2010-08-27T04:05:00.004+01:00

An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Dir: John Landis

Two American tourists travelling in England are attacked by a werewolf.
A classic of the genre, this is one of the best loved horror films ever released. While it has truly amazing effects and decent scares, it sometimes falters with its uneven tone that walks a fine line between horror and black comedy. It's well acted and directed, even if the ending is misjudged and leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Story: 7
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 6
Gore: 8
Overall: 7

Sauna

2010-08-27T03:13:00.002+01:00

Sauna (2008)
Dir: Antti-Jussi Annila

After a long war, a group of Finns and Russians working together to map out a new border discover a mysterious village.
A muddled film that doesn't seem to know what it's trying to be. The tone is utterly depressing throughout and with no likable characters it's hard to care about anything that is going on. On top of that there are no real scares or thrills and the good setting is wasted.

Story: 3
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 2
Gore: 4
Overall: 3

Dark, The (2005)

2010-08-25T04:32:00.004+01:00

The Dark (2005)
Dir: John Fawcett

After the tragic death of their daughter, a couple are visited by a young girl who has been dead for 60 years.
Truly dire supernatural horror film that's full of plot holes. The direction and editing are abysmal, and the twists in the story only get more and more ridiculous as the film limps to its confusion. It's a shame to see decent actors dragged down by such lazy filmmaking.

Story: 2
Acting: 4
Directing: 1
Scares: 2
Gore: 3
Overall: 2

Dead Snow

2010-08-25T03:29:00.009+01:00

Dead Snow (2009)
Dir: Tommy Wirkola

A group of medical students on a ski vacation find themselves confronted by Nazi zombies.
Norwegian horror comedy with some fantastic ideas and lots of gore. There's something truly unique about seeing zombies trying to run through snow, the fact they are Nazi zombies just makes it even more hilarious. While there's not many scares, it does have a very black sense of humour and lashings of blood.

Story: 7
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 5
Gore: 8
Overall: 7

Jaws: The Revenge

2010-08-25T02:38:00.004+01:00

Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Dir: Joseph Sargent

Ellen Brody leaves Amity for the Caribbean but it's not long before the shark attacks follow.
The last film in the series really proved they should have left it at two. While there was some interest in the third film because of its use of 3-D effects and the Sea World setting, this film doesn't have anything new to add. Some scenes are just plain idiotic and the acting is terrible. An insult to the classic original.

Story: 1
Acting: 2
Directing: 2
Scares: 4
Gore: 5
Overall: 2

A Perfect Getaway

2010-08-25T01:45:00.003+01:00

A Perfect Getaway (2009)
Dir: David Twohy

Two couples on a Hawaiian vacation discover that a pair of killers are loose on the island.
Interesting thriller that falls a little short in the end. It has a good premise and the Hawaiian islands are an amazing setting for any film. Yet while the actors give it their all, the plot gets a little lost in its own red herrings and when the final twist is revealed it doesn't quite have the impact that the film needs.

Story: 6
Acting: 6
Directing: 6
Scares: 2
Gore: 3
Overall: 6

Messengers, The

2010-08-24T05:06:00.005+01:00

The Messengers (2007)
Dir: Oxide & Danny Pang

A troubled family moves in to a farmhouse only for the children to start having ghostly visions.
Dull horror from the usually reliable Pang Brothers. This, their English language debut, struggles with obvious scares and a weak story. While there's potential in the setting, it doesn't have any new ideas and feels like a retread of hundreds of other films like it. A wasted effort from directors who are capable of much more.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 4
Overall: 3

Zombieland

2010-08-24T01:02:00.003+01:00

Zombieland (2009)
Dir: Ruben Fleischer

Four survivors of the zombie apocalypse band together and head to an L.A. amusement park.
Smart and funny movie set after the world has been overrun with zombies. The film cleverly focuses on the developing relationships of the main characters and the actors do a great job, with Woody Harrelson giving a standout performance. A surprisingly unique and entertaining horror comedy.

Story: 7
Acting: 8
Directing: 7
Scares: 3
Gore: 7
Overall: 7

Unborn, The (2009)

2010-08-23T17:13:00.003+01:00

The Unborn (2009)
Dir: David S. Goyer

A young woman plagued by strange visions discovers a demon is trying to take possession of her soul.
A woeful effort that lacks originality. There is nothing here that hasn't been done many times before and the director fails to put a fresh spin on proceedings. It's a shame to see an actor of the calibre of Gary Oldman turn up in a film like this, and not even he can lift this dire effort.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 3
Gore: 4
Overall: 3

Uninvited, The (2009)

2010-08-23T16:23:00.003+01:00

The Uninvited (2009)
Dir: Charles & Thomas Guard

A girl, returning home after spending time in a mental institution, is haunted by her past and becomes suspicious of her new stepmother.
A weak remake of the excellent Korean horror film A Tale Of Two Sisters. The story becomes lost in translation and while it's faithful in its attempts to recreate the best moments from the original, they lack the same punch and some of the actors feel totally miscast.

Story: 4
Acting: 3
Directing: 4
Scares: 3
Gore: 4
Overall: 4

Triangle

2010-08-23T15:16:00.008+01:00

Triangle (2009)
Dir: Christopher Smith

After their yacht is overturned, a group of friends must board a mysterious ocean liner.
An impressive psychological horror film, anchored by an excellent lead performance from Melissa George. The empty ocean liner is suitably eerie and gives the film a similar feel to The Shining, without suffering by comparison. Smith keeps the story interesting with some neat twists and a clever ending.

Story: 8
Acting: 8
Directing: 8
Scares: 5
Gore: 6
Overall: 7

Cottage, The

2010-08-22T04:22:00.003+01:00

The Cottage (2008)
Dir: Paul Andrew Williams

A pair of kidnappers botched efforts lead them into the path of a psychotic farmer.
Bizarre British horror/comedy that gradually gets more and more ridiculous. It tries to be funny and scary at the same time, yet it never really achieves either. The acting is pretty bad and the director makes some irritating choices, culminating in a rather lame final act.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 2
Gore: 7
Overall: 3

Stand, The (1994)

2010-08-22T02:55:00.007+01:00

The Stand (1994)
Dir: Mick Garris

The human race is almost completely wiped out by a virus and the few survivors prepare for a battle of good versus evil.
Four part mini-series that attempts to tackle Stephen King's epic novel. It's faithful to the book, but is in dire need of trimming down and really drags on with little to no action. There's good imagery, but the weak acting and lack of thrills don't do justice to King's work.

Story: 4
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 2
Gore: 6
Overall: 3

Resident Evil: Apocalypse

2010-08-18T03:10:00.005+01:00

Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
Dir: Alexander Witt

Alice tries to escape from Raccoon City, which has been ravaged by the T-Virus.
Lame sequel that fails to put right what the original got wrong. This time around there is even less of a story and the film consists of nothing but repetitive action sequences. The new characters aren't given a chance to make any sort of impression and again the idea feels totally wasted.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 2
Gore: 7
Overall: 3

Resident Evil

2010-08-18T02:08:00.005+01:00

Resident Evil (2002)
Dir: Paul W.S. Anderson

A virus escapes in a secret underground facility and turns all the staff into flesh eating zombies.
Lackluster video game adaptation that really should have been so much more. It suffers in comparison to the games, which had a real sense of dread and superb atmosphere. While it lacks scares, it does manage the odd good moment, especially the stunning final shot, but even that just adds to the disappointment.

Story: 4
Acting: 4
Directing: 4
Scares: 4
Gore: 7
Overall: 4

Ghostbusters II

2010-08-17T02:46:00.004+01:00

Ghostbusters II (1989)
Dir: Ivan Reitman

The Ghostbusters return to save the city from an ancient sorcerer and a river of ectoplasm.
While this is a decent sequel it struggles to reach the heights achieved by the fantastic original. The whole cast return and they still have great chemistry, but the jokes aren't as good and the story is not as much fun. It's a lot scarier this time though with a couple of particularly creepy scenes.

Story: 6
Acting: 8
Directing: 6
Scares: 6
Gore: 2
Overall: 6

Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight

2010-08-16T02:56:00.004+01:00

Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
Dir: Ernest R. Dickerson

A man on the run from a demon known as The Collector takes shelter at a small town inn.
An enjoyable spin-off from the classic TV series. The film has a wicked sense of humour and a memorable performance from Billy Zane, who raises the film to another level. The effects haven't dated well and it doesn't manage any scares, but it's fun nevertheless.

Story: 5
Acting: 6
Directing: 5
Scares: 3
Gore: 8
Overall: 6

Supernatural - Series 2 Episode 22

2010-03-31T03:49:00.004+01:00

All Hell Breaks Loose: Part 2
Dir: Robert Singer

After making a deal to save Sam, the brothers find out about a huge demon trap in Wyoming. Meanwhile the Yellow-Eyed Demon forces Jake to open the gate to hell and unleash an army of demons.
A stunning finale that delivers on the promises made throughout the previous episodes and brilliantly sets up the next series. The action is gripping and the performances from the entire cast are top notch.
Episode Rating: 9

Supernatural - Series 2 Episode 21

2010-03-31T03:13:00.006+01:00

All Hell Breaks Loose: Part 1
Dir: Robert Singer

The Yellow-Eyed Demon transports Sam and the other 'Special Children' to the remains of a ghost town in order to initiate the first steps of his war against mankind, while Dean is frantically searching for his brother.
The first of a two part episode to end the series, this is an impressive build up to the explosive finale. There's shocking twists, dramatic action and scenes that leave you desperate to see what happens next.
Episode Rating: 8

Supernatural - Series 2 Episode 20

2010-03-31T02:39:00.007+01:00

What Is And What Should Never Be
Dir: Eric Kripke

After being attacked by a Djinn, a creature capable of warping reality, Dean finds himself leading a normal life. Everything seems fine until he starts having strange visions.
A fantastic episode that shows us what Dean's life could have been like had he not become a hunter. This leads to some heartbreaking scenes and requires outstanding performances from everyone involved.
Episode Rating: 9

Supernatural - Series 2 Episode 19

2010-03-31T01:57:00.003+01:00

Folsom Prison Blues
Dir: Mike Rohl

The brothers are sent to prison after being caught breaking and entering. While they are waiting to be extradited they find the prison is haunted by the vengeful ghost of an old inmate.
Nothing is as it seems in this episode with the amount of twists and turns the writers throw at you. There's a good amount of humour along the way and the prison setting provides some atmospheric chills.
Episode Rating: 6

Supernatural - Series 2 Episode 18

2010-03-31T00:49:00.004+01:00

Hollywood Babylon
Dir: Philip Sgriccia

The Winchesters go undercover on a haunted movie set only to find out that it is actually a cheap marketing strategy in order to promote the film, until the people involved start to die for real.
Humorous episode that takes pot shots at the horror genre and the industry in general. While it's consistently amusing, it still manages to fit in the odd scare and the actors look like they're having a lot of fun.
Episode Rating: 6

Supernatural - Series 2 Episode 17

2010-03-31T00:30:00.000+01:00

Heart
Dir: Kim Manners

When a lawyer is killed in his office by what appears to be a wild animal, Sam and Dean attempt to protect his assistant from her ex-boyfriend, who they suspect to be a werewolf.
This starts out as a simple werewolf tale but before long actually becomes something much more engaging. There is real dramatic weight to the events and a strong supporting performance from Emmanuelle Vaugier.
Episode Rating: 7

Boogeyman

2010-03-27T01:09:00.002Z

Boogeyman (2005)
Dir: Stephen T. Kay

A young man traumatised by childhood events returns home to confront his fears.
An incoherent mess that is overflowing with ideas, and none of them are any good. The story is really poor and at times it's a struggle to figure out what is going on and whether it's worth sticking it out to the end. There are a couple of decent scares but they are lost in all the confusion and bad editing.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 3

Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)

2010-03-27T00:47:00.004Z

Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)
Dir: Chris Nahon

A vampire joins a military school to discover if one of her classmates is a demon.
Poor adaptation of the Japanese Anime of the same name. The story has been butchered beyond recognition and it's annoying that the film-makers decided to Americanise the story. The action is a mess and while there is plenty of gore, the excessive use of CGI blood makes it embarassingly bad.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 2
Gore: 6
Overall: 3

White Noise 2: The Light

2010-03-26T18:13:00.003Z

White Noise 2: The Light (2007)
Dir: Patrick Lussier

After an attempted suicide a man has the ability to see when a person is going to die.
While the first movie was a big let down after a promising start, this sequel is a more even movie that doesn't have the hook that the original film had. The director struggles to make the story work, despite some interesting ideas and solid acting from the ever likeable Nathan Fillion.

Story: 5
Acting: 5
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 4

I Know What You Did Last Summer

2010-03-24T23:57:00.005Z

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Dir: Jim Gillespie

Four teens try to cover up a hit-and-run only to find out somebody knows what they did.
Decent slasher from the writer of Scream. It benefits from playing it straight and manages some effective scares. The set pieces are well staged and lead to some genuinely tense chase scenes, while the cast are all likeable. It doesn't hit the heights of the genres best, but it's a solid effort that tries hard.

Story: 5
Acting: 6
Directing: 6
Scares: 6
Gore: 5
Overall: 6

Orphan

2010-03-24T02:09:00.002Z

Orphan (2009)
Dir: Jaume Collet-Serra

A couple adopt an orphaned young girl who isn't as innocent as she first seems.
Despite having a surprising twist, this weak thriller struggles to rise above mediocrity. The cast are much better than the material they're working with and it's a shame to see their talents wasted. The lack of scares drags the film down and makes the ending feel like a wasted opportunity.

Story: 4
Acting: 5
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 4

Timecrimes

2010-03-24T02:05:00.000Z

Timecrimes (2007)
Dir: Nacho Vigalondo

A man accidentally travels back in time one hour and must try and avoid meeting himself.
Ingenious Spanish thriller that is cleverly written and well directed by Vigalondo. It starts fairly simply but as the complex tale begins to unravel the different plot threads come together in a satisfying and logical way. The acting is also solid and the film manages to stick in the memory long after the end credits.

Story: 8
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 3
Gore: 5
Overall: 7

Friday The 13th (2009)

2009-11-14T01:32:00.009Z

Friday The 13th (2009)
Dir: Marcus Nispel

A group of friends are attacked by Jason Voorhees at their cabin near Crystal Lake.
Dire remake that actually covers events from the first three films in the series. It throws together a number of plotlines with no attempt to build suspense or create any characters you care about. The changes made to the iconic Jason are interesting but underdeveloped, and the whole film feels totally rushed.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 6
Overall: 3

Nang nak

2009-11-13T03:14:00.002Z

Nang nak (1999)
Dir: Nonzee Nimibutr

A man returns home from war to live with his wife and child without knowing they're ghosts.
A famous Thai legend that is a mix of tragic love story and ghostly horror. While it is beautifully shot, it also takes too long to get going and the slow pace drags the film down. There are some decent scares and the acting is solid, but it feels like more could have been done with the tale to keep you interested.

Story: 6
Acting: 5
Directing: 6
Scares: 5
Gore: 4
Overall: 5

Doghouse

2009-11-11T04:04:00.005Z

Doghouse (2009)
Dir: Jake West

A group of men find themselves in a village which is overrun with man-hating cannibals.
Enjoyable British horror comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. What it lacks in plot it makes up for with solid direction and a strong cast that all seem well aware of what film they are making. The witty script provides some good laughs, but this is definitely not a date movie.

Story: 5
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 6
Gore: 8
Overall: 7

Silent Night, Deadly Night

2009-11-11T02:29:00.008Z

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Dir: Charles E. Sellier Jr.

A tormented teenager goes on a murderous rampage dressed as Santa Claus.
Average slasher film that was quite controversial when it was first released. After the creepy opening the film starts to struggle, with only a couple of gory deaths saving it from being totally forgettable. The winter setting provides some good imagery, but it pales in comparison to the far superior 'Black Christmas'.

Story: 4
Acting: 3
Directing: 4
Scares: 4
Gore: 6
Overall: 4

Joy Ride

2009-11-08T01:19:00.003Z

Joy Ride (2001)
Dir: John Dahl

Two brothers on a road trip are terrorised by a trucker after playing a prank on him.
A tense, well directed thriller that manages to flesh out a simple premise and provide some truly nerve-wracking scenes. The mysterious killer is superbly voiced by Ted Levine and there's also solid performances from the lead trio. The impressive cinematography also elevates this film above others in the genre.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 6
Gore: 5
Overall: 7

Mothman Prophecies, The

2009-11-08T00:27:00.006Z

The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Dir: Mark Pellington

A journalist investigates strange reports of a mothlike creature appearing in a small town.
An underrated film that is wonderfully written, acted and directed. Pellington brilliantly sets up an atmosphere of unease and a feeling that something terrible is about to happen. It starts out as an intriguing little mystery, but becomes something so much more by the time it reaches the stunning climax.

Story: 9
Acting: 8
Directing: 9
Scares: 6
Gore: 2
Overall: 8

Thesis

2009-11-07T23:48:00.006Z

Thesis (1996)
Dir: Alejandro Amenábar

A film school student doing a thesis on violence discovers a seemingly real snuff movie.
Amenábar's first Spanish thriller is a solid effort that is let down by a sluggish pace and an unsatisfying ending. It's well acted by the leads and the subject matter provides some effective scares. Though the film's message is nothing new, it does manage to raise a few interesting points on violence in the movies.

Story: 7
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 6
Gore: 4
Overall: 6

Outlander

2009-11-06T21:57:00.003Z

Outlander (2008)
Dir: Howard McCain

A man from a far-off world crash lands on Earth during the time of the Vikings.
Decent sci-fi/fantasy that deserved a bit more recognition. It's an interesting concept, combining the Viking era with aliens and space age weaponry, and for the most part it works well. There's some good action and effects, and as a slice of mindless entertainment it's not bad.

Story: 7
Acting: 6
Directing: 6
Scares: 3
Gore: 5
Overall: 6

Midnight Meat Train, The

2009-11-06T19:53:00.002Z

The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
Dir: Ryûhei Kitamura

A New York photographer becomes obsessed with a serial killer who stalks the subways.
An impressive English-language debut from Kitamura that gives him a good showcase for his visual talents. Based on a Clive Barker short story, it has an interesting premise and builds to an exciting climax. There's plenty of gore and some inventive visuals that add to the enjoyment of the film.

Story: 7
Acting: 6
Directing: 8
Scares: 6
Gore: 9
Overall: 7

Feast II: Sloppy Seconds

2009-11-06T19:30:00.004Z

Feast II: Sloppy Seconds (2008)
Dir: John Gulager

The monsters attack a neighboring town where the survivors from the bar are hiding.
Incredibly poor sequel that is like a parody of the first film. It swaps the clever mix of scares and comedy that the first film had, for all out gore and slapstick humour. The characters are all completely horrible and the creature effects are just embarassing this time around. An insult to the first film.

Story: 2
Acting: 2
Directing: 2
Scares: 3
Gore: 9
Overall: 2

Signs

2009-11-06T04:14:00.004Z

Signs (2002)
Dir: M. Night Shyamalan

A family living on a farm discover mysterious crop circles threatening an alien invasion.
Superbly tense movie from Shyamalan that is let down by a sloppy ending. The set up is fantastic and the minimal way the story is told really adds to the atmosphere and suspense. The cast are all great, it's just a shame that everything is ruined by such a ridiculously flawed finale.

Story: 8
Acting: 9
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 2
Overall: 8

Ghostbusters

2009-11-06T02:36:00.002Z

Ghostbusters (1984)
Dir: Ivan Reitman

Three scientists set up a ghost extermination agency calling themselves the Ghostbusters.
A classic movie that is as good today as when it first came out. The film works on almost every level, with the cast as near to perfect as possible. While it is one of the funniest films ever made, it also has some decent scares provided by the wonderfully cheesy 80s effects. A great film that's lost none of its charm.

Story: 9
Acting: 10
Directing: 9
Scares: 4
Gore: 2
Overall: 9

Terminator Salvation

2009-11-02T01:24:00.003Z

Terminator Salvation (2009)
Dir: McG

In a post-apocalyptic 2018, what's left of the human resistance fight back against Skynet.
Disappointing sequel that promised a lot more. The look of the film is great and the action sequences are well shot, but there's no real substance and the story doesn't make much sense. There are some good ideas hiding in here and you can't help but feel that a stronger director would have done more with it.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 2
Gore: 3
Overall: 6

Pan's Labyrinth

2009-11-02T00:45:00.003Z

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Dir: Guillermo del Toro

A young girl growing up in Spain during World War II escapes into a strange fantasy world.
A stunning movie from Guillermo Del Toro that combines stunning fantasy with harsh reality. The story, acting and special effects are all superb, and there's some good scares. It's wonderfully directed, yet while the fantasy world is beautifully realised, it's a shame that it takes a backseat to real world events.

Story: 8
Acting: 8
Directing: 9
Scares: 6
Gore: 8
Overall: 8

Donkey Punch

2009-10-31T01:17:00.002Z

Donkey Punch (2008)
Dir: Oliver Blackburn

A group of holidaymakers on a luxury yacht turn on each other after a tragic accident.
Average horror movie that keeps you interested despite a plot that's been done too many times before. The acting is okay and the director manages to get the most of the minimal setting. Unfortunately it lacks any real imagination and it all becomes rather predictable by the halfway mark.

Story: 5
Acting: 5
Directing: 6
Scares: 3
Gore: 6
Overall: 5

Eden Lake

2009-10-31T00:18:00.003Z

Eden Lake (2008)
Dir: James Watkins

A young couple enjoying a romantic weekend away are terrorised by a gang of kids.
Harrowing British horror film that is tough to sit through. It's well directed by Watkins and the acting from the leads is solid. The problem with the story is that it's a little one dimensional, but the situation is so intense that it keeps you hooked right the way up to the bleak ending.

Story: 5
Acting: 7
Directing: 7
Scares: 5
Gore: 6
Overall: 6

Dead Set

2009-10-26T02:02:00.005Z

Dead Set (2008)
Dir: Yann Demange

The contestants on a series of Big Brother are unaware of a zombie outbreak outside.
Impressive British mini-series that would make George A. Romero proud. It mixes social satire with scares and gore, whilst borrowing heavily from films like 'Dawn Of The Dead'. With the 'Big Brother' reality series as its backdrop it also provides plenty of familiar faces and locations that add to the fun of it all.

Story: 7
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 8
Overall: 8

Drag Me To Hell

2009-07-06T01:44:00.005+01:00

Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Dir: Sam Raimi

A young woman is cursed by an elderly gypsy and her life becomes a living hell.
Enjoyable B-Movie from Sam Raimi, returning to the kind of horror that made his name. The film is a thrill ride of scares and gore, with a number of effective jump-out-your-seat moments. Alison Lohman is great in the lead and though the plot is a little obvious, it's good fun watching Raimi cut loose again.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 8
Overall: 7

Tormented (2009)

2009-07-05T23:30:00.003+01:00

Tormented (2009)
Dir: Jon Wright

A bullied teenager comes back from the dead to take revenge on his classmates.
Decent British slasher film that is well directed by Wright. While the story follows a simple formula it keeps you entertained throughout and has some good death scenes. The effects aren't all that bad and the acting is pretty solid. A surprisingly well made horror film with a uniquely British sense of humour.

Story: 5
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 5
Gore: 7
Overall: 6

Silver Bullet

2009-06-30T03:20:00.007+01:00

Silver Bullet (1985)
Dir: Daniel Attias

A young boy suspects a werewolf to be behind a recent spate of murders.
Dull adaptation of a Stephen King story. There's nothing new here and it seems like there's a lack of effort from all involved. The make-up effects are poor and none of the scares really work. Despite a young Corey Haim showing some early promise, this isn't really worth the time.

Story: 3
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 2
Gore: 4
Overall: 3

Isolation

2009-06-30T00:50:00.004+01:00

Isolation (2005)
Dir: Billy O'Brien

A group of people on an Irish farm become the victims of an experiment gone wrong.
Atmospheric little horror film that is cleverly directed by O'Brien. The farm provides an eerie setting that is well used and there are a number of effective scares. The creature is wisely kept in the dark for the majority of the film and there's a decent amount of gore. A good effort that is worth a look.

Story: 5
Acting: 6
Directing: 7
Scares: 7
Gore: 8
Overall: 7

Waxwork

2009-06-28T04:02:00.002+01:00

Waxwork (1988)
Dir: Anthony Hickox

The owner of a wax museum uses his horror exhibits to unleash evil on the world.
Cheesy 80s horror film that just about gets by on some original ideas. The story combines lots of classic horror tales and though it's not always successful, it does have its fun moments. There are some very gory scenes but it fails to provide any solid scares, and while the climax is ambitious, it's also pretty ridiculous.

Story: 4
Acting: 3
Directing: 4
Scares: 3
Gore: 7
Overall: 4

Last Winter, The

2009-06-28T03:12:00.004+01:00

The Last Winter (2006)
Dir: Larry Fessenden

A group of environmentalists working in the Arctic start to become disorientated and insane.
Strange thriller that starts interestingly enough but doesn't really seem to go anywhere. The setting gives a good feeling of isolation and confusion and the acting isn't all that bad. It's just a shame the story is such a mess. There's no real explanation for what is happening and the ending is pretty awful.

Story: 3
Acting: 5
Directing: 3
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 3

I Know Who Killed Me

2009-06-28T02:38:00.003+01:00

I Know Who Killed Me (2007)
Dir: Chris Sivertson

A young woman is abducted and tortured but after escaping the traumatised woman insists she's not who people think she is.
Dull thriller that is a real struggle to sit through. The story is far too predictable and the acting questionable. What could have been a decent mystery in better hands, instead ends up a convoluted mess that relies heavily on scenes of torture to make up for the lack of ideas.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 1
Gore: 7
Overall: 2

Hide And Seek (2005)

2009-06-25T02:27:00.007+01:00

Hide And Seek (2005)
Dir: John Polson

A father moves house with his young daughter, who has a mysterious imaginary friend.
An awful movie that suffers from terrible acting and a laughable twist. The story barely manages to hold your interest and how an actor like De Niro would agree to make this trash is the scariest thing about it. The film doesn't care about making sense and insults the viewer's intelligence with a stupid ending.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 2
Scares: 2
Gore: 3
Overall: 2

White Noise

2009-06-25T00:29:00.008+01:00

White Noise (2005)
Dir: Geoffrey Sax

A man finds he can hear his dead wife through the white noise of a radio or television set.
This should have been a scary thriller in the style of some of the best J-Horror efforts, but the interesting premise is wasted on a weak story. The EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) idea is a good one to explore and gives the film a creepy atmosphere, but it's poorly directed and falls apart at the end.

Story: 5
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 3
Gore: 1
Overall: 3

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, The

2009-06-14T23:49:00.004+01:00

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
Dir: Jonathan Liebesman

Two couples get into a car accident and are taken by the sheriff to a secluded farmhouse.
Pointless prequel that offers very little insight into Leatherface's history. It's content to rehash the same old torture scenes from the first few movies and despite lashings of gore there's no attempt to make it scary. This is a tired franchise that's hopefully gone as far as it can.

Story: 2
Acting: 3
Directing: 3
Scares: 5
Gore: 9
Overall: 3

Alien Raiders

2009-06-11T01:34:00.002+01:00

Alien Raiders (2008)
Dir: Ben Rock

Staff and customers at a supermarket are held hostage by a group of rogue scientists searching for an alien lifeform.
A decent low budget sci-fi that is better than the tacky title suggests. It borrows its premise from a scene in 'The Thing', but does well to make it last for the entire film. The acting is solid and the director cleverly keeps the creature in the shadows.

Story: 6
Acting: 6
Directing: 6
Scares: 3
Gore: 6
Overall: 6

Children, The (2008)

2009-06-10T03:03:00.005+01:00

The Children (2008)
Dir: Tom Shankland

A Christmas vacation turns deadly when the children begin to turn on their parents.
A creepy, well executed chiller with an interesting premise. It takes its time to set up the situation, but after the first death the movie really starts ratcheting up the tension. The acting is decent and though the explanation of what's happening is kept a mystery, the film is actually better for it.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 7
Overall: 7

Firestarter

2009-06-09T04:15:00.004+01:00

Firestarter (1984)
Dir: Mark L. Lester

A father and daughter with special abilities go on the run from a secret government agency.
Overlong thriller, based on a Stephen King story, that could have benefited from being shorter and a bit less predictable. It fails to be scary or thrilling and the middle of the film really drags. The acting isn't great and apart from an ending borrowed from King's own 'Carrie', it's not worth the time.

Story: 4
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 1
Gore: 2
Overall: 3

Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers

2009-06-09T02:52:00.005+01:00

Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers (1995)
Dir: Joe Chappelle

Six years later, Michael goes looking for Jamie and her new-born baby.
A confused sequel that has its good and bad points. While it tries to add something new to the series and explain Michael's origins, most of the ideas don't really work. However it's well acted and Michael is scarier than he's been in the last couple of films.

Story: 5
Acting: 6
Directing: 5
Scares: 4
Gore: 3
Overall: 5

Naked Fear (2007)

2009-06-09T00:51:00.007+01:00

Naked Fear (2007)
Dir: Thom Eberhardt

A kidnapped young woman is stalked by a hunter in the New Mexican desert.
This film isn't bad considering it could have been a piece of cheap exploitation about a naked girl being hunted by a killer. Though it starts poorly and the acting isn't that great, it gets better as it goes on and you actually start to care for the protagonist. It's well told and it keeps you interested until the end.

Story: 5
Acting: 4
Directing: 6
Scares: 1
Gore: 3
Overall: 5

Funhouse, The

2009-06-09T00:12:00.005+01:00

The Funhouse (1981)
Dir: Tobe Hooper

Four friends spend the night in a carnival funhouse only to witness a brutal murder.
Lazy film that is a waste of a good setting. The director seems content to just copy ideas from his earlier efforts and the result is frustratingly lame. The characters are annoying and some scenes seem to go on forever. Its worst crime is a lack of scares which is surprising considering it's set in a funhouse.

Story: 2
Acting: 2
Directing: 2
Scares: 3
Gore: 5
Overall: 2

My Name Is Bruce

2009-06-08T01:07:00.006+01:00

My Name Is Bruce (2007)
Dir: Bruce Campbell

B-Movie legend Bruce Campbell is mistaken for his character Ash and forced to fight a real monster in a small town in Oregon.
Amusing film that plays off Campbell's immense likability. Though there's not much of a story it never takes itself too seriously and there's some fun to be had watching Campbell send himself up. It doesn't really have any scares, but it's enjoyable while it lasts.

Story: 5
Acting: 5
Directing: 4
Scares: 2
Gore: 5
Overall: 5

Inside (2007)

2009-06-07T02:26:00.007+01:00

Inside (2007)
Dir: Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury

A pregnant woman is tormented in her home by a strange woman who wants her baby.
A violent horror film that gets nastier as it goes on. The start is fairly typical, but it's quite creepy and there are some interesting twists that keep you watching. That is until it just resorts to mindless violence and the story falls flat. It also doesn't help that the main character is totally unlikable.

Story: 4
Acting: 4
Directing: 4
Scares: 4
Gore: 9
Overall: 4

Frontier(s)

2009-06-06T02:36:00.006+01:00

Frontier(s) (2007)
Dir: Xavier Gens

A group of thieves flee Paris during the riots only to run into a family of crazy neo-Nazis.
A poor French horror film in the vein of 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre'. There is a lack of story or character development here, so it's hard to care about anybody. It's also extremely predictable and far more interested in making you feel uncomfortable than trying something original. A clear case of style over substance.

Story: 2
Acting: 4
Directing: 3
Scares: 3
Gore: 9
Overall: 3

Martyrs

2009-06-06T01:06:00.005+01:00

Martyrs (2008)
Dir: Pascal Laugier

A woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped her leads her and a friend into a living hell of depravity.
A shocking film that starts interestingly with some scary, seemingly supernatural scenes, but soon gives way to brutal scenes of torture that are very hard to watch. It's polished and well acted, but it's difficult to think of a reason why you should put yourself through this.

Story: 3
Acting: 6
Directing: 4
Scares: 4
Gore: 9
Overall: 4

Dolls

2009-06-05T03:52:00.006+01:00

Dolls (1987)
Dir: Stuart Gordon

A group of people stop at an isolated mansion only to be haunted by a collection of dolls.
Dire film that has a very uneven tone. At times it tries to be a humorous fairy tale about bad people being punished and at others it's just a movie about murderous dolls. But it never actually manages to be funny or scary and the characters are all totally unlikable. Watch 'Child's Play' instead.

Story: 3
Acting: 1
Directing: 2
Scares: 3
Gore: 5
Overall: 3

Splinter

2009-06-05T02:42:00.004+01:00

Splinter (2008)
Dir: Toby Wilkins

A young couple and an escaped convict are trapped in a gas station by a deadly parasite.
A clever little movie that works well considering the majority of the story takes place with only three characters and one location. The director has crafted a tense, scary and gory horror tale with interesting characters and decent special effects. Cast and crew should be applauded for what they've achieved with so little.

Story: 6
Acting: 7
Directing: 8
Scares: 7
Gore: 8
Overall: 7

Blade

2009-06-03T00:34:00.005+01:00

Blade (1998)
Dir: Stephen Norrington

Blade, a half-vampire half-mortal man tries to protect the human race from vampires.
An excellent comic book adaptation that is satisfying and original. The story is told with assured style by Norrington and the actors are perfectly cast. It starts strongly with a stunning opening sequence and the action is well handled throughout. The film should also be praised for reinvigorating the superhero genre.

Story: 8
Acting: 8
Directing: 8
Scares: 6
Gore: 8
Overall: 8