"Terrifier" (2016) Review

It's already been a rough Halloween night for Tara and her friend Dawn, and things are only going to get worse. In a drunken stupor, the pair encounter a gangly and suspicious looking man in a clown outfit. It's not long before they realize that this clown doesn't do backyard birthday parties. 

"Terrifier" is a 2016 horror film by written and directed by Damien Leone. Starring Jenna Kannell (Tara), Samantha Scaffidi (Victoria), Catherine Corcoran (Dawn), and David Howard Thorton as the show-stopping, and menacing Art the Clown, this brutal slasher flick is definitely not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

Apart of a recent wave of underground horror films, "Terrifier," features a tiny cast, a shoestring budget, gruesome carnage and unnerving torture. 

Being a streamlined slasher flick, the viewer isn't offered too much of a closer look at its main characters. "Terrifier" never really lets up, and there isn't much room for the characters to breathe--that's the point. The viewer gets just enough of a glimpse at Tara and Dawn, and then Art the Clown takes center stage with his ghastly grin and wordless machinations. While there aren't many standout performances in the flick, it's David Howard Thorton's portrayal of Art the Clown that's sure to scare the socks off even the most avid horror fan.  

Speaking of Art the Clown, his makeup looks absolutely nightmarish. The grueling hours spent in the makeup chair really paid off--so the team that worked on Thorton's look deserves major credit. Apart from the main villain's fantastically ghoulish visage, the effects used for the kills are worth noting as well. Admittedly, the film features some offscreen mayhem, but what the viewer does witness is pure nightmare fuel. No spoilers, but let's just say that there's a scene that features a hacksaw...and that's all I'm going to say."Terrifier" does not pull punches when it comes to bloodshed, and it looks quite good--if that's your thing. 

It's clear that Damien Leone knew what he was doing when he made this flick. It is a pure, heart-stopping, blood-soaked slasher. This will satisfy any gorehound out there, and that's exactly where "Terrifier" excels. 

On the other hand, that's also the film's weakness. At an hour and a half, certain scenes feel drawn out to pad out the runtime. Instead of focusing on the action at hand, it pulls the viewer's attention away to a throwaway character that has nothing to do with the story. 

There were definitely moments where I felt they could have used Art the Clown more effectively, and sometimes his presence seems fruitless. This leads me to my final point--you should never show too much of your villain. No matter how central (and he is the star!) he is to your story. The less the viewer sees of Art, the better!

So if violent, gory, low-budget slasher flicks are your deal, you're definitely going to enjoy "Terrifier." Hopefully with the next installment, (the trailer is out and looks interesting) Damian Leone will dig deeper into his infamous villain, and add some weight to his gruesome exploits.

"Terrifier" is on NetFlix now, and the new trailer for "Terrifier 2" is also out. Don't say I didn't warn you though!

 

       

  

"Train to Busan" (2016) Review

When a chemical spill causes a zombie apocalypse in South Korea, the passengers aboard a train headed to Busan must fight to survive. Seok-woo (Yoo Gong), a finance manager in Seoul is dealing with business and family problems. In an effort to appease his daughter and repair his marriage to his estranged wife, he accompanies his daughter to Busan.

"Train to Busan" is a 2016 Korean horror film written by Park Joo-Suk and Yeon Sang-ho, and directed by Yeon Sang-ho. Starring Yoo Gong (Seok-woo), Ma Dong-seok (Sang-hwa), Jung Yu-mi (Seong-kyeong), and Kim Su-an (Soo-an), "Train to Busan" features a very talented ensemble cast of actors. This apocalyptical zombie thriller is South Korea's sixth highest grossing domestic film. Ma Dong-seok (Sang-hwa) was also nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in the film. 

As seen here in the states, zombie flicks are churned out faster than you can blink, and many of them have been rather insubstantial in terms of character depth. That's not the case with Yeon's "Busan." 

There are many layers to our main character, Seok-woo (Yoo Gong) and his relationship with his daughter, Soo-an (Kim Su-an) is complicated. Ma Dong-seok, while exemplifying the token buff guy of the cast, shows a range rarely seen in zombie movies. Jung Yu-mi, Ma's counterpart, is natural and aptly emotional while Yoo Gong's daughter (Kim Su-an) provides some near tear-jerking performances. Lastly, what big movie wouldn't be complete without a villain that is easy to hate? Kim Eui-sung's role as Yon-suk, while a bit cliché, is also dynamic. There's definitely a lot to appreciate in the cast and script of this outstanding thriller.

Big props should be given to the team who worked on the zombie and visual effects. There are several sequences that use extras rather than CGI zombies, and it makes a big difference. The zombies in "Busan" are similar to those in "World War Z," and are seen running quickly throughout the movie, but their subtle movements are also of merit. The makeup effects for the zombies are great as well. I'm not sure of the budget, but most of the visual effects are excellent--aside from a few scenes involving large trains and zombie falling out of the sky 😆. 

If there's anything working against the film, it's its runtime and setting. At almost two hours, "Train to Busan" can feel a bit lengthy for a zombie movie, and being limited to the confines of a train makes it difficult for the movie to spread its creative wings.

There's a lot "Busan" gets right though--plenty of zombie action, emotional situations, and a group of characters you actually care about. It offers much more than you'd expect from your typical zombie flick. 

If you're new to Korean cinema, this is a great place to start. Of course, you have to like zombies, too...but who doesn't like zombies?! 😅Do yourself a favor and check out "Train to Busan." You'll be pleasantly surprised at how effective the film is at pulling on your heartstrings. There's even an animated prequel from Yeon Sang-ho called "Seoul Station," and keep your eyes peeled for the official sequel "Peninsula" coming soon! 

"Cult of Chucky" (2017) Review

On the heels of "Curse of Chucky" comes its irregular follow-up, "Cult of Chucky." After the traumatic events of "Curse," Nica is committed to a mental institute, but Chucky plans to track her down and finish the job. The latest installment in the series places our favorite killer doll in a new environment, and inserts some rather unconventional elements into the usual "Chucky" formula fans are used to.

"Cult of Chucky" is a 2017 sequel written and directed by (once again) Don Mancini. Fiona Dourif returns as Nica, Adam Hurtig (as Michael or Malcolm), Grace Lynn Kung (as Claire), Elisabeth Rosen (as Madeline), Michael Therriault (as Dr. Foley), and Jennifer Tilly (as Tiffany), and Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky...naturally. This transformative sequel steers the franchise in a new direction, but oftentimes feels drawn out instead of fluid. There are some really cool callbacks and cameos in this one, though! 

With just four years between its predecessor, this direct-to-video slasher is quite comparable to "Curse of Chucky" in terms of production value. There's more blood and kills here, but they feel spread too far apart. 

The setting of the film has a cold and desaturated look, and the absence of much of its music (Chucky's theme is cool though!) takes a lot of the tension out of the film. There's a lot of typical jump scares in place of the creepy vibe found in "Curse." A lot of the time, Chucky is in plain sight, and he never sneaks around hunting his victims. Every hallway is lit up, every corridor is long and empty--there's no surprise.

"Cult of Chucky" follows Nica as she's brought to a mental institution, and she's introduced to a bunch of patients all suffering from various disorders. The actors don't do the best job at portraying their respective disorders (Multiple Malcolm isn't convincing, and neither is Claire... so she gets angry...that's it?!) When Chucky arrives to finish off Nica, he dispatches her "crazy" friends with the a few new tricks up his sleeve.

Don Mancini, the stalwart of the series, once again does a good job directing, but again the problem lies in the script. The film's characters were not likable, there were unnecessary scenes that filled out the runtime, and it weighs the movie down. Characters who were in one scene seems to disappear, and then reappear near the end only to get killed by Chucky. The script needed to be tightened up, and it's a shame it wasn't cleaned up a bit.

Without giving too much away, I will say that there are multiple Chucky dolls in this film. So big props go to the special and visual effects teams for the fantastic work they did on "Cult." Chucky moves, emotes, speaks, and kills with ease, and the men and women behind the scenes deserve their due credit. Aside from the doll effects, "Cult of Chucky" is once again on par with "Curse." There are gorier kills in this one, and the blood and guts effects are very good--especially if you watch the unrated version. There is one really CGI-heavy scene in a dream sequence, but the use of effects just saps all the scariness out of it. I was personally happy to see that the use of CGI was lessened for this one--good choice!

"Cult of Chucky" is a sequel that sets Chucky down a new and interesting path. It has its cool moments, and the cameos and returning characters redeem this movie a bit. I'd be down to watch what's coming up next for Chucky. The main problems with "Cult" is its script, characters, and pacing. When the film is moving fast, its great, but when those filler scenes come in, things just slow down. 

If you love the "Chucky" series and are ready for some curveballs thrown at you, check out "Cult of Chucky." It's not a bad watch, and the callbacks to previous entries are really fun and exciting, but this sequel is quite uneven. Have fun guys! 

Good-

• Brad Dourif as Chucky (what more can I say?)
• Don Mancini returning once again
• Over the top kills and gore

Bad-

• Bland characters (Nica is okay though)
• Script problems
• Disappearing and reappearing characters
• Jump scares
• An empty and boring setting--No suspense!

"Curse of Chucky" (2013) Review

25 years have passed since Chucky terrorized Andy Barclay and his mother in the original "Child's Play." When an anonymous package shows up at Nica's house, Chucky unleashes another malicious scheme to tie up some old loose ends. The sixth sequel for "Chucky" returns to the creepy vibe of the original "Child's Play," while attempting to connect the dots of the admired franchise.

"Curse of Chucky" is a 2013 horror sequel written and directed by Don Mancini. Starring Fiona Dourif (as Nica), Danielle Bisutti (as Barb), A. Martinez (as Father Frank), Maitland McConnell (as Jill), Brennan Elliot (as Ian), Brad Dourif (as the voice of Chucky), and finally, Jennifer Tilly (as Tiffany). This return-to-form sequel brings back the spooky atmosphere of the original, but hastily tacks on plot points from early films.

Another long stretch of time had passed before this "Chucky" follow-up was released, and unfortunately, it was sent directly to video which may have hurt its reception. On the flip side, by this point the franchise had amassed a large enough following that fans of Chucky were ready to feast their eyes on the next blood-soaked chapter.

"Curse" focuses on a young woman named Nica (Fiona Dourif) who is restricted to a wheelchair. She shares a home with her mother, Sarah (Chantelle Quesnelle) who seemingly dies by suicide one day (not really a spoiler). Nica's relatives come to pay their respects to Sarah, and that's really when the mystery behind the suicide starts to unravel. Yes, it involves Chucky in some way!

Returning once more to helm the series is Don Mancini as writer and director. With "Curse of Chucky," Mancini shows that he is capable of shifting tones without compromising what's happened already in the franchise. There's a nice blend of old and new with "Curse," and there really isn't another director that could have pulled it off better than Mancini. From a directing standpoint, "Curse of Chucky" is just fine, but sometimes the pacing feels uneven, and audiences may lose interest after the first act.

Much of the special and visual effects in "Curse" look cool, but there is a noticeable downgrade in certain areas. Some of the rain effects are CGI, and sadly, some shots of Chucky are assisted by CGI. On the other hand, it's understandable that the filmmakers would use visual effects on the wide shots of Chucky, but the die-hard fan inside of me misses the good 'ol days of full-on puppetry. 

"Curse of Chucky" is a welcomed return to form for Chucky, and is a sometimes an enjoyable watch. There are interesting moments in the film that will get any fan of the series going, but the film's momentum is hindered at times by the script and pacing. The elements from previous films feel a bit tacked on as well, and that also hurts the film. If you can overlook its flaws, "Curse" is a decent addition to the well-loved horror icon's string of slasher flicks.

Good-

• Brad Dourif, as always!
• The creepy atmosphere of the originals returns
• The steady hand of Don Mancini 
• A solid main lead character
• Blends the old with the new (haphazardly)

Bad-

• Decline in production value is slightly noticeable
• Connecting elements feel a bit forced
• Some pacing and script issues
• Character deaths lack some originality

"Seed of Chucky" (2004) Review

Six years after "Bride of Chucky," Chucky and Tiffany's son, Glen, travels to Hollywood to find his parents, and discovers that they are cold-blooded killers. At the same time, Jennifer Tilly gets wrapped up in the devilish duo's schemes. Silliness takes the wheel in this outlandish and wacky "Chucky" sequel. 

"Seed of Chucky" is a 2004 horror-comedy written and directed by Don Mancini. Starring Jennifer Tilly (as herself and Tiffany), Brad Dourif (as Chucky), Billy Boyd (as Glen), Redman (as himself), and Hannah Spearritt (as Joan). This absurd and self-referential sequel crashes the series into the rom-com genre creating a twisted mess of a film. 

The lengthy wait for "Bride of Chucky" worked to its benefit. "Seed" was released by an independent film company (Rogue) instead of Universal, and that really hurt this film. Right out of the gate, "Seed of Chucky" falters because of the lack of promotion and waning anticipation from the fans. 

Early in the film, we are introduced to Glen (Billy Boyd) who comes off as being quite whiny and annoying. He's sort of the monkey wrench in the movie who challenges Chucky to have to adapt. Billy Boyd does an okay job, but I feel like having Glen be a transexual character just overcomplicates the story. Chucky (Brad Dourif) and Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly) successfully retain their core characteristics, even as they are thrown into new idea of parenthood. Layering a metaphysical story about Jennifer Tilly (as herself) realizing that Chucky and Tiffany are trying to take over her body...that's just too much. This is a Chucky movie, not a David Lynch movie!

Don Mancini is the driving force behind the "Chucky" franchise, and he's in his rightful place here as director and writer. He shows that he is confident in where he wants the series to go with "Seed," and somehow manages to balance all the oddness that ensues. The problem is that the budget was cut in half, and that limits the direction of this movie to some extent. In the end, Mancini is able to pull off what he was going for--it's utter craziness--but "Seed of Chucky" reaches its finish line with its wheels barely attached.

One area of the production that did not see a budget cut was the special effects, this time handled by Tony Gardner and his team. The Chucky, Tiffany and Glen dolls look fantastic, and they emote and move better than any other film in the series. With each installment, the special effects team continues to improve and enhance the dolls, and they perform very well. 

"Seed of Chucky" is really only for die-hard "Chucky" fans. The scaled-back budget, the messy storyline, and awkward characters make this movie hard to watch. It's full of weirdness, and still features plenty of off-the-wall kills, but the wackiness reigns supreme here. 

Good- 

• Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly as Chucky and Tiffany
• Spectacular special effects 
• Some crazy on-screen kills 
• Maintains a sense of continuity (somehow)

Bad-

• Strange new characters that complicate things
• A limited budget 
• Some weird plot devices 
• Awkward and gross scenes 

"Bride of Chucky" (1998) Review

One month after "Child's Play 3," Chucky is resurrected by his old girlfriend, Tiffany. Once brought back to life, he (minor spoiler) kills Tiffany, and places her soul into a female doll. Chucky and his bride then take a road trip of mayhem in this fantastic sequel.

"Bride of Chucky" is a 1998 horror-comedy written by Don Mancini and directed by Ronny Yu. Starring Jennifer Tilly (Tiffany), Brad Dourif (as the voice of Chucky), Katherin Heigl (Jade), Nick Stabile (Jesse), and John Ritter (Chief Warren Kincaid). The highly anticipated return of Chucky blends comedy with horror, and sends the viewer on an edge-of-your-seat ride chock full of thrills, chills, and laughs. 

There was a long wait for audiences between "Child's Play 3" and "Bride of Chucky," and the excitement going into this film is, what makes this one the best Chucky sequel, hands down! With its dark and creepy intro, the Rob Zombie tune cranked up, and the pervasive gothic vibe, "Bride of Chucky" is where Chucky becomes really interesting. 

In a classic reveal, we are introduced to Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany, and she is perfect in the role. She's sexy, silly, and doesn't shy away from killing people--she's definitely Chucky's match! Brad Dourif as Chucky, delivers the rom-com lines with ease, while still preserving Chucky's stubborn and evil personality. John Ritter is great as always as Jade's uncle Warren, and you can tell he had fun with his part. Unfortunately, our main protagonists aren't very good in "Bride of Chucky," and they can be cringeworthy. Katherine Heigl (Jade) and Nick Stabile (Jesse) seems to struggle, and their lines come off as quite wooden and awkward. It may have been a script issue, but I really think it comes down to their chemistry--that is probably the film's biggest eyesore. 

Ronny Yu did an outstanding job directing this movie, and that's quite surprising, because he doesn't come from the American film industry. He was able to take his style from his previous effort, "The Bride With White Hair," and paint Chucky with new shades of light and darkness. I really dig "Bride of Chucky" because of its use of light, and the cinematography gives the film a gothic yet modern feel. There's really no time to breathe in this movie, and the action sequences and set pieces are fast, vicious, funny, and necessary. Don Mancini and Ronny Yu worked well together, and the results are on the screen--it's a lot of fun!

Finally, Kevin Yagher and his team returned to the "Chucky" series by giving Chucky his new look, and it's great. The stitched up, ugly visage of Chucky gives him a menace not seen in the other sequels. Yagher provides the dolls a rich dimension and depth, and the amount of emotions they show really make Chucky and Tiffany multilayered characters.

"Bride of Chucky" is an exciting blend of horror and comedy. With a lean plot and fast-paced action and kills, "Bride" raises the bar and thrusts Chucky into a new, bold direction. You'll scream, you'll laugh, you'll have a blast! Check it out! 

Good-

• A perfect mix of horror and comedy
• A creepy vibe that fits perfectly
• A quick story with no frills
• Some creative kills (and they're on screen!)
• Impressive directing by Ronny Yu
• Outstanding special effects by Kevin Yagher
• A rockin' 90s soundtrack! 

Bad-

• Some awkward lines and deliveries