Movie review: Cult of Chucky

 

 Nica has been deposited to an asylum after being accused of murdering her family, but she knows something is up when those around her begin dying. Teaming up with his ex-wife, Chucky is back and determined to make Nica's life hell.

Fiona Dourif (Nica), Brad Dourif (Chucky), Allison Doiron (Rachel), Alex Vincent (Andy), Michael Therriault (Dr. Foley), Jennifer Tilly (Tiffany), Zak Santiago (Carlos), Ali Tataryn (Ashley), Marina Kerr (Angela).

Cult of Chucky begins with just enough plot setup that we have a clue what is happening. Sadly, this franchise isn't the best at tying together the storyline. Once Chucky is in the asylum with Nica, things get a lot more interesting in true Chucky style. But this time, there isn't just one Chucky! The film is a bit campy, struggles a bit to bring the horror, but is entertaining in a train-wreck way.

Acting was okay with Fiona D. doing a decent job. Brad D. as always does a good voice job for Chucky. Tilly was an amusing addition and did nicely, as did Therriault, Santiago, and the remainder of the cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are well done with crisp, well framed shots and fitting sets. Action scenes were decent with good CGI and detail. Dialogue was campy but fitting. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Overall Cult of Chucky is a mild horror flick doing the best it can to squeeze every penny out of the franchise. Those who have a fixation on Chucky should enjoy this one, while those wanting solid horror may be disappointed.

There is some mild sexuality, violence, gore, foul language, and disturbing scenes this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 10.18.17
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Supernatural Horror, Cult Horror

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Train to Busan

 

 When a zombie virus outbreak hits South Korea a father and his daughter grab the next train from Seoul to Busan hoping to outrun the virus. Instead they find themselves struggling, along with the other train passengers, to stay alive.

Yoo Gong (Seok-woo), Yu-mi Jung (Seon-kyeong), Dong-seok Ma (Sang-hwa), Su-an Kim (Soo-an), Eui-sung Kim (Yon-suk), Woo-sik Choi (Yong-guk), Sohee (Jin-hee), Soo-jung Ye (In-gil), Gwi-hwa Choi (Homeless man).

Train to Busan begins nicely with a little backstory tease that sets things up nicely. As dad and daughter begin their journey to Busan, things quickly take a turn as the zombie virus hits full tilt. The remainder of the film is a fairly fast-paced fight for survival when zombies make it onto the high-speed train and remains exciting through the end.

Acting was good with Yoo Gong delivering well. Su-an Kim also delivered well and seemed to fit nicely with Gong. Ma fit his role perfectly and did well despite a couple of rough spots. Jung, Eui-sung Kim, Sohee, and the remainder of the cast were solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were enjoyable, fitting, and felt real throughout. Action scenes were good, particularly zombie make-up and movement. Dialogue was decent if a bit light. Subtitles (dialogue is in Korean) are easy to follow with dialogue being fairly light. Sound and soundtrack are good.

While I usually avoid subtitled films, I decided to give this one a shot and am glad I did. For a foreign film the quality was surprisingly good. Zombies on a train is an amusing concept presented in an extremely realistic fashion in this film. Zombie fans should enjoy this one.

With plenty of violence, fore, some foul language, and of course zombies, this one should be fine for mature teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.18.17
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Zombies, Thrillers, Korean films

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Babysitter

 

Obsessed with his babysitter, Cole stays up late to spy on her and her friends. Instead he learns his hot babysitter is part of a satanic cult brewing up a pot of trouble and Cole is the secret ingredient.

Judah Lewis (Cole), Bella Thorne (Allison), Samara Weaving (Bee), Robbie Amell (Max), Hana Mae Lee (Donya), Emily Lind, Leslie Bibb, Andrew Bachelor (John), Doug Haley (Samuel), Zachary Rice (Mr. Giggles).

The Babysitter begins looking like a mild teen comedy but it doesn't take long before things take a darker turn and the movie gets a bit more interesting. Cole's hot babysitter, Allison, is worthy of his obsession but when he stays up to spy on her he finds she is part of a strange satanic cult. Focused on making their dreams come true, the cult is only missing one ingredient; Cole.

Acting was surprisingly good with Lewis and Weaving both doing well, and working well together. Amell, Lee, and Thorne also did nicely with good delivery and timing. The remainder of the supporting cast was enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were well done and fitting. Action scenes were silly, fun, and nicely done considering the genre. Dialogue was campy and had some nice, dark comedy. Sound and soundtrack are both solid.

Overall The Babysitter is an amusing dark comedy obviously aimed at teens. The slightly raunchy humor and simplistic approach may turn off some adults, but teens should enjoy this one.

With some sexuality, violence, gore, foul language, and adult situation this should be fine for mature teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 10.13.17
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Horror, Horror Comedy

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: House on Willow Street

 

 After kidnapping a young woman the kidnappers begin to realize they may be the ones in danger. Their victim is not as helpless as she seems and is in fact, a demon.

Sharni Vinson (Hazel), Carlyn Burchell (Katherine), Steven Ward (Ade), Gustav Gerdener (James), Zino Ventura (Mark), Mia Slabbert (Young Hazel), Nicole De Klerk (Sarah).

House on Willow Street begins well enough as the kidnappers hatch their plot and put it into motion. Once Katherine is kidnapped however, things start taking a strange turn. As the kidnappers realize they may be in trouble, a couple of twists are thrown in that are never well explained. The remainder of the film turns into a mess of horror scenes that seem to rely on past events, none of which is ever connected well.

Acting was okay with Vinson and Burchell delivering fairly well. Ward, Gerdener and the remainder of the supporting cast were a bit rough but okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were mediocre at best. Dark settings to intensify the horror instead made the film difficult to watch and left backgrounds almost invisible. Action scenes were decent but due to lack of energy and intensity otherwise, fell somewhat flat. Dialogue was choppy and thin. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall House on Willow Street may be a decent entry level horror flick. As long as you aren't interested in much depth. Fans of darker horror lacking storyline development may enjoy this one.

 With some blood, gore, horror, and a touch of foul language, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.13.17
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Thriller, International Thriller, Psychological Horror

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel