Movie review: Cube

 

 Six people are trapped in a maze of interlocking cubes with no idea how they got there or why. As they try to find a way out they discover deadly traps, but their personalities may be the greatest obstacle.

Nicole de Boer (Leaven), Nicky Guadagni (Holloway), David Hewlett (Worth), Andrew Miller (Kazan), Julian Richings (Alderson), Wayne Robson (Rennes), Maurice Wint (Quentin).

Cube begins where it should, in the cube. With a bit of cube setup now in place, the six people trapped are slowly introduced until we have the everyone together at which point they begin to try and find a way out. The rest of the film follows the group as they apply their skills, logic, and even emotions in an attempt to escape.

Acting was good with Wint contributing nicely. Boer also did well with good delivery and emotion. Guadagni was okay but felt like she was reaching in her role. The remainder of the cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds could be called bland but given the setting and theme, were very well done with nice detail. Action scenes were good and often, surprising. Dialogue was very necessary in Cube, and fairly well done. Sound and soundtrack were mild but good.

Though a bit older now, Cube remains an unusual and entertaining film with good aspects of horror and psychological terror. Fans of more intellectual horror or thrillers should enjoy this one.

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

Released: 1997
Reviewed: 10.18.17
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Cult Horror, Thrillers

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

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