The Lazarus Effect

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I genuinely think there was a much stronger movie in here than what the final product was. The premise of the movie was interesting enough. This was lost amid sub-plots that are introduced but have no pay-off, and some pretty groan-worthy dialogue. The direction is better than the writing, but at times, it can be difficult to make out what's going on. The characters are all, in my opinion, pretty likable. Olivia Wilde gives the best performance in the movie, often showing how well she can run the gambit on emotions. For me, the idea of playing with DNA is inherently scary. This is something I feel helps the movie along because lazy jump scares are littered throughout with the occasional semi-creepy moment. The Lazarus Effect is one of those movies that really could have gone either way for me. I'm very happy to say that, despite its fair share of stumbles, I was actually able to enjoy the movie as something of a fun little popcorn horror flick. I won't say this movie is for everyone, but I do think it'll be worth a rent. If it sounds like it’s your thing, check it out.

7 /10 

Top 50 Favorite Movies (40 - 31)

#40: Independence Day: Independence Day is one of those movies I know isn't the greatest ever, but dammit, I just love everything about this movie, especially Will Smith's character. The guy flat out introduces an alien to Earth by punching it. If that's not awesome, I don't know what is.

#39: Jaws: This movie has been talked about by so many people, it's kind of hard what to say about it anymore. I guess I would narrow it down by saying that this movie has what just might be the best opening in a horror movie. EVER!

#38: Django Unchained: I feel like Django is a movie that only Quentin Tarantino could have ever made. It mixes slavery in the south with a blood-spattered revenge western. The climax of the movie contains one of the absolute greatest, and bloodiest, shootouts in a movie I've ever seen. And I can't forget to mention the honest-to-God obvious fun that Leonardo DiCaprio has playing an absolutely despicable villain.

#37: Silence of the Lambs: Much like Jaws, this is one of those movies I find very hard to talk about it, mostly because it's been talked to death at this point. All that aside, I do absolute love this movie. Quid Pro Quo.

#36: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, much like most of David Fincher's movies, succeeds in making you feel dirty and uncomfortable when you watch it. Moments like this and the bitter-sweet ending are why I love the movie and Fincher himself as a director.

#35: Superbad: Superbad is just one of those kind of movies that consistently gets a laugh out of me. All the actors seem to work off each other well, and the mishaps are just about some of the funniest things that you could possibly imagine.

#34: American Pie: American Pie seems to have just the right amount of gross-out gags that it really doesn't take from the coming-of-age story for. Besides, this is the movie that gave us Stifler, and I love this character. No matter, I can always find myself laughing at this movie.

#33: The Matrix: The Matrix is one of the most influential action movies of all time. Some of the ideas that the movie gives up are still relevant today. The action sequences still hold up. There's just so many things in this movie I love.

#32: Gone Girl: David Fincher pops up again. To give an idea of how much I love this movie, anything that can make me honestly wish the movie had more Tyler Perry in it is doing something right. The plot twist in the middle of the movie is, in my opinion, one of the best twists ever.

#31: Shaun of the Dead: Shaun of the Dead may have Simon Pegg a house-hold name. The extreme zombie kills are hilarious when you see them through the eyes of an oblivious loser. Terrifying and hilarious. The movie also puts a much welcome twist on the romantic comedy genre, which isn't one of my favorites.

It Follows

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I’m not going to lie, I loved this movie. There’s a vintage look and feel to it that really works. There really isn’t a weak link among the actors, and the characters are all pretty likable. Lead actress Maika Monroe is great in the movie. The movie isn’t always scary, but it has its good moments of real tension. The cinematography is also very good, really shining the movie’s setting. The ending was one of the best movie endings in my opinion. It didn’t leave off on a cliffhanger, but rather, ended the movie ambiguously. The score had this really good eerie 80s vibe to it. It was one of those movies I really had to think about. The monster of the movie is one of the scariest parts of the movie. It can look like anything, and pretty much engages you in the worst game of “Tag, You’re It” possible. The way it kills is very brutal, and horrifying. I’m very glad that this movie exists to seemingly prove we don’t always have to rely on movies like Ouija for our horror cinema. I get the feeling that this movie is gonna stick with me for a good while.

10 / 10  

Carrie (1976)

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Carrie isn’t the scariest horror movie I’ve ever seen, but it definitely has its moments. I read the book first, and it’s not exactly my favorite Stephen King book. The idea of telekinesis may not be the most terrifying idea, but it worked okay for me in this movie because I think the idea of telekinesis in the wrong hands can be scary if it’s done right. I feel that this movie did do it right by having Carrie’s incredibly cruel classmates push her too far. I think Brian de Palma understands how to build tension and did a very good job with directing the movie. My biggest issue is the movie’s characters. Personally, Carrie herself and Sue were the only characters I actually really liked. I understand that a large chunk of them were supposed to be assholes, but I think it could’ve really been handled better. The thing I found truly scary about the movie was Carrie’s mother, though. I think there’s something inherently frightening about a religious zealot mother attempting to kill her own daughter. As I previously stated, I don’t think this is the scariest movie I’ve seen, but it does have moments where it shines.

7 / 10 

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

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It might sound strange when I say this, but I didn’t love this movie. As a zombie fan, I respect the jump start it had on the genre, but I still had some issues with it. The zombies themselves work, and are freaky enough. I like the idea of focusing more on the survivors and what they would do if ever faced with this kind of situation. Some of the quotes are still very memorable, but the pacing was way too slow, and all really remember about the characters are that one of the main characters was named Barbara, and that there was a black guy. I thought the end was fairly chilling, but the pacing was too slow and large parts of the movie meander to me. The acting was clunky at times. In my opinion, George Romero did a good job with direction, but, not as flawlessly as I personally hoped. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a bad movie because I found just enough for me to like it. It just didn’t fully live up to the hype that was built up over the years, and I think that’s what was the most disappointing about it for me.

7 / 10 

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

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An American Werewolf in London is something of a revolutionary movie in the horror genre. This movie is the reason there is an oscar for makeup because the Academy wanted to recognize it. The makeup effects in the movie are incredible. The main character’s first transformation scene is fantastic to a point you almost feel the pain he feels. A lot of this makes up for the fact that, in my opinion, a lot of the characters themselves aren’t very memorable, and the acting isn’t always the best. I remember a lot of scenes within the movie, and I think John Landis’s direction is pretty good. Some of the scenes in the movie I remember the best were scenes where he had to build tension. I liked the idea of somewhat exploring survivor’s guilt by having the main character be haunted by visions of his dead best friend. The romance, however, I wasn’t as a big a fan of because it’s such a tired subplot. In all, I still really like the movie even though there were some issues I had with it that, thankfully, weren’t enough to really take away from my enjoyment of the movie as a whole.

7 / 10 

The Exorcist (1973)

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First things first, much like The Blair Witch Project, I don’t think The Exorcist is a scary movie. The difference between the two for me is that The Exorcist had more going on that kept me interested in the movie. The writing was really good, and the movie was very well-acted. Linda Blair’s performance is, in my opinion, especially strong given all that her character does. Some of the images, like the crucifix masturbation scene, were fairly disturbing. For the most part part the slow pace of the movie didn’t bother me. It did get to me at times, but not too much. I understand why it scared so many people at the time it came out. It was something that was still very fresh. The one thing I definitely found a touch creepy was the voice work by Mercedes McCambridge. Her voice has a very chilling, undeterminable sound that adds some good effect. The end could’ve probably been cut down a bit, as I felt that went on bit too long. In the end, despite some very minor flaws, this is a movie that has held up remarkably well and a movie that I would say I recommend. 

9 / 10    

The Birds (1963)

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Perhaps the scariest thing about the movie The Birds is that an explicit reason for why the birds begin to attack is never given. As much as I enjoyed the movie and thought Alfred Hitchcock’s direction was fantastic, I personally don’t think this movie is as good as Psycho. But, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. The playground scene is actually very chilling, when you consider that a playground is where young children play. Tippi Hedren is very good in this movie, especially with the lengths she went to. Rod Taylor is also good in the movie, though not as good as miss Hedren. The special effects were good for the time, even if they are dated now. Personally, I wasn’t as into the actual attacks as I was the aftermaths of the attacks I didn’t see, because I had to imagine more. The tension building in the movie is fantastic, but that is something I would expect from the master of suspense. As stated before, I don’t like this movie as much as I liked Psycho, but it’s still a pretty damn good suspense horror movie that has it’s fair share of strong moments that make it worth a watch.

8 / 10     

Furious 7

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If you were to ask me five years ago if there were going to seven Fast and the Furious movies, I would have said no. But, here we are. The weirdest thing is, they seem to keep getting better with each movie. This might just be my favorite movie in the series so far. The action sequences are very good and director James Wan should be commended for that, coming from a horror background. The cast has a really strong chemistry together, even if the acting isn’t always necessarily the strongest. Michelle Rodriguez, Kurt Russell, Dwayne Johnson, Djimon Honsou, and Jason Statham are, in my opinion, the best actors in the movie. Unfortunately, most of them are underused. I liked the send-off for Paul Walker’s character in the movie, and felt that it was very fitting. The CGI used at the very end of the film was absolutely terrifying, and I feel that the late Mr. Walker deserved a lot better. I did get a lot of enjoyment out of the movie, though. It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s stupid, but that’s what it was supposed to be and I absolutely loved every second of this amazingly stupid movie.

9 / 10

The Fly (1986)

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David Croenenberg’s The Fly shows how a horror movie remake can be done well. Jeff Godblum’s performance as Seth Brundle / Brundlefly is fantastic. Geena Davis is also really good as Brundle’s girlfriend, and I like the way they look at her reaction to his discovery and his transformation. The practical makeup effects stand out as some of the greatest of all time. The movie is an achievement of body horror that simply cannot be matched. I love the way the movie explores the differences between man and monster, and shows how thin that line often is. I love the idea that a man can become a monster, too. I admit that I’ve never seen the Vincent Price original, but if this movie is considered to be one of the absolute best horror movies (and horror movie remakes) of all time, then I’ll have to compare at some point. I can say with absolute certainty that I do love this movie. I remember that freaky dream sequence with a justly horrified Geena Davis. I don’t really know what else to say, mostly because there’s only so many different ways a person can say just how much they absolutely loved a movie.

10 / 10   

Hellraiser (1987)

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Hellraiser does a fantastic job of combining unique characters, incredible practical effects, and visceral imagery. The movie reaches an interesting level of disturbing that few other films can. Doug Bradley is the scene-stealer of the movie. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the character of Pinhead in this movie is, he isn’t the antagonist. He’s a strictly neutral force, and that makes him someone interesting enough to root for. Doug Bradley’s performance is the reason people really seem to remember Pinhead compared to the rest of the movie. The writing and directing is also noteworthy here, mostly because the movie was written and directed by horror legend Clive Barker, who wrote the short story the movie is based on. This is a fantastic horror film because it does what a great horror film should do. It sticks with you. I saw it once, a couple of years ago, and there is still plenty of it I remember. If there was anything I would have taken away from this movie, it’s this. If you come across a strange puzzle box from another country, don’t open it because you never know what you’re going to get. No, I am not kidding.

10 / 10       

28 Days Later (2002)

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28 Days Later, I think, is the movie that reinvigorated the zombie movie. Director Danny Boyle was able to make reanimated corpses that wanted nothing more than to eat your brain even scarier than they already were. Zombies no longer walked at you with a steady pace. They ran. A baron, deserted London only added to the movie’s scare factor for me. Actors Cillian Murphy and Christopher Eccelston are fantastic in their performances. The movie’s writing, editing, acting, and directing all make you feel the weight of the characters. The characters are likable enough, for the most part, that you really don’t want to see anything bad happen to them. Danny Boyle is a director who isn’t generally known for horror, but excels at the genre with this movie. The tension is built extraordinarily well, with every scene. The movie doesn’t overly rely on jump scares, which tend to be overused in this day and age to a point that don’t generally seem all that scary anymore. The scenes that involve the soldiers near the film’s climax are some of the movie’s best. This is one horror film I highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t seen it, especially zombie freaks. 

10 / 10 

Re-Animator (1985)

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Re-Animator is one of those movies that went places I didn’t expect, and I won’t say what they were because I don’t want to spoil anything. Jeffrey Combs steals the movie as Herbert West. I admit some of the practical effects in the movie were dated, but I think that only added to the movie’s entertainment value. The over-the-top violence should be commended, as very few horror movies seem to reach (or surpass) this level of violence. The end result is an awesome hybrid of fellow classics The Evil Dead and Frankenstein, and it is as gruesome, violent, funny, and all-around awesome as it sounds. This a very tilted horror-comedy that truly could have only come from a master of horror as this movie is based off of a short story by H.P. Lovecraft. There were some genuinely odd, disturbing, funny moments that would make anybody with a dark, twisted sense of humor laugh their asses off, albeit a touch uncomfortably. After watching this movie for the first time, I must say that I see the cult appeal of the movie, and will most likely add this one to my collection at some point. 

10 / 10   

Candyman (1992)

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Candyman was probably one of the last films to put new blood in what was, at the time, the dying slasher sub genre. I like the movie’s urban, gritty setting. More-so, I like the way the movie blurs the lines between fantasy and reality in terms of urban legends. The deaths are very gruesome. The character of Candyman does start off as a legend, and slowly becomes a reality. Tony Todd delivers a career defining performance. His slow, calculating delivery adds an eeriness that probably would have only been pulled off by Tony Todd at the time the movie came out. To this day, Candyman has become both a pop culture icon and a real urban legend, much like Bloody Mary. The only trouble with this is that I didn’t find Candyman scary at all. Virginia Madsen did pretty good in the movie, too. The twist ending was something I admittedly liked, though the direct-to-video sequels ret-conned this. While I liked Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen, I didn’t care too much for the rest of the cast. I think the movie had a good story, but I don’t think the direction was always at its strongest. 

8 / 10 

The Omen (1976)

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The Omen is an interesting movie. The movie is well-acted. Gregory Peck adds a touch of class to the film that probably would have been absent otherwise. Praise should go to Harvey Stephens, who played the character Damian. The creepiest aspect of the movie for me was the fact that he was so young, adorable, and innocent-looking. You really see the facade he puts on when he smiles at some of the horrible things that happen around him. Every time, Stephens sells it. Actress Billie Whitelaw, who played the villainous nanny Mrs. Baylock is great too. Whitelaw has this piercing stare that seems to see right into your soul. Jerry Goldsmith’s eerie score with the latin chorus that makes the theme that much creepier. also deserves to recounted among the movie’s highlights. The direction should be noted as well, especially in moments where the director clearly understands building tension. In terms of flaws with the movie, I really only have one. The beginning of the movie is really good, but then it slows down for a little while. When it does pick up steam again, I was able to keep myself interested in the rest of the movie.

9 / 10 

Frankenstein (1931)

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Frankenstein is a classic in gothic horror for very good reason. This is a movie that isn’t particularly scary, but has some frightening elements to it that I like. In terms of adaptations, this movie is one of the worst. However, I loved this movie, and hated the book. I like the way the movie explores how you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, showing that men themselves can be monsters. The creature himself is, more than anything a child. Boris Karloff is fantastic, having created one of the greatest icons in horror cinema, and making him the tragic hero. This does lead to one problem I have with this movie. Boris Karloff is good, that the rest of the cast seems a bit transparent. I remember some of the characters, but not much else save for Victor Frankenstein’s shouting “It’s Alive.” Karloff is so memorable with several of his scenes without ever saying a word though, which for me is so much more powerful. Despite issue with some of the characters, and the fact that it isn’t that scary, I still think this is a great film that has gotten a lot of deserved attention from horror fans. 

9 / 10 

Halloween (1978)

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I would like to start what will most likely be a very controversial review by saying, I do like this movie. That said, it doesn’t rank very highly on my personal meter. Something the sequels (and even the Rob Zombie movies) did better than the original was the fact that they let Michael get a little more creative with his kills. Major props do need to be given to Nick Castle, who does manage a fantastic, menacing performance despite not having one word of dialogue throughout the movie. Some of the little touches he adds to the character do give a touch of creepiness. I notice elements in the movie (like the theme, which I love) that were very creepy, but I don’t feel that it’s strong enough to ascend the film to being something truly terrifying. The acting from Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence is pretty strong too. The rest of the cast really seems to suffer, though. It’s not a personal favorite for me, but I do think that it has just enough of a re-watchability factor to it that I would consider putting it on every year around Halloween. There’s just enough I can enjoy. 

7 / 10  

Evil Dead II (1987)

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As much as I love the first Evil Dead movie, I do have to admit that Evil Dead 2 stands out as the best of the bunch. This hilarious horror sequel rounds out the character of Ash, making him one of the best horror heroes period. Bruce Campbell really gets to shine in what has become his most famous role. Evil Dead 2 pokes more fun at the genre its drenched than the first one, and still doesn’t forget where it came from. As much as I love the movie, (and the possessed hand that eventually gets replaced with a chainsaw) the supporting cast isn’t very good. I don’t know if I would call them bad, per se, but none of the actors in the film hold a candle to Bruce Campbell. Evil Dead 2 is a cult classic in the genre for good reason. I don’t want to undersell the gory awesomeness of the movie, which I could easily do. Whether it’s the gore, the craziness of the situation, or the flat out hilarity, in the end, there is only one word that can truly describe my thoughts on the movie. From the words of Ash Williams himself, Groovy.

9 / 10 

Friday the 13th (1980)

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Of all the Friday the 13th movies, the original still stands out as the best of the bunch. Despite only appearing on-screen for less than a minute, Jason still leaves his mark as a major entity within the film. The movie’s symbolism works on every level possible. I especially love that the killer seems to strike swift and hard with an oncoming storm. The look of the campground is beautiful and haunting. The fact that the killer’s face is almost never seen throughout the film, until the very end of the movie works in its favor. I like the idea that it’s essentially a guessing game as to who the killer is. Despite all these things the movie has going for it, there still are some problems that the movie can’t escape. The characters are flat. It’s obvious they’re just there to die. The actors playing the counselors (including Kevin Bacon) aren’t very good. Walt Gorney is too over the top as the town crazy. Betsy Palmer is the only person to come out of the movie with a memorable performance, but she also overacts. While Friday the 13th has its flaws, it also most certainly has its merits. 

7 / 10  

The Shining (1980)

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The Shining may be the essential Stephen King classic. The film drips with Kubrick’s signature atmosphere. He allows everything to sink in. The scene with little Danny seeing the twin girls in the hallway is creepy, shocking, and effective in the best way possible. Jack Nicholson shines as the father who slowly spirals into insanity, and the twists and turns taken throughout the movie still work on every level to this day. The look of the hotel isn’t just creepy and unsettling, its gorgeous. That may sound odd, but because the interior is as beautiful as it is, that ultimately is what makes this so terrifying. And it’s in the middle of nowhere. When Jack Torrance’s insanity takes full force, you realize the man’s determination to murder his own family is the scariest part of the movie, mostly because it’s a man driven to murder his own family. Kubrick’s long tracking shots gave the creepy look an effectiveness that is rarely matched. The only thing that really lets the movie down ultimately is Shelly Duvall’s performance. Duvall felt fake and hollow. Despite Shelly Duvall’s performance, the film is still worth watching for the perfect Halloween playlist. This definitely comes recommended.

9 / 10 

Jaws (1975)

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As great as the shower scene in Psycho was, the opening scene from Jaws may just be the absolute greatest horror scene of all time. The fact that you almost never see the shark for the most of the movie allows the film’s terror to really sink in. The actors are all great. The characters are very realistic. They feel like average guys. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw have great chemistry and they are very memorable together. One of the best, creepiest scenes is one where the three are sitting in the boat, and they just have this discussion that reveals so many layers with these characters have, especially Robert Shaw’s Quint. When you watch the movie, you see something in him that you know isn’t quite right. When you finally see the shark, the tension actually builds, as opposed to dissipating, like most other movies would. It’s a horror classic, to say the least. 

10 / 10 

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street remains one of the most influential slasher flicks of all time. It birthed one of the coolest horror icons ever, and gave us one of the most influential, albeit, underrated final girls to grace the screen. This may be Wes Craven’s second best film behind the original Scream, at least in my opinion. Some of the flaws in this movie are much more noticeable, though. Robert Englund played the perfect boogeyman in an excellent case of less is more. Johnny Depp was also decent in his first screen role. Everyone else’s acting ability on the other hand, was very hit and miss. As much as I respect Heather Langenkamp as a scream queen, her acting in the film was undeniably wooden. The other teens were pretty forgettable too. They do the job they have to do. They die. The story behind the movie was original enough, blending the dream world with reality. It was something unique to this movie and it’s style. The atmosphere and suspense are built very well, and Freddy’s kills are gruesome and creative. This is one slasher flick that could keep you awake for hours, fearing the wrath of Freddy Krueger. 

9 / 10

The Sixth Sense (1999)

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After fifteen years, The Sixth Sense still crowns as Shyamalan’s masterpiece. The film offers a terrifying look into fear itself, and the effects it has on people, most notably, a little boy with the ability to see dead people. Haley Joel Osment gives the best performance of his career as Cole Sear, the troubled young boy. Bruce Willis is fantastic in an underrated performance as the child psychiatrist helping Cole, who happens to be hiding demons of his own. The pace of the film is slow, which may turn some off. However, the slow pace is used effectively to build the complex characters and chilling atmosphere. At an early point in Shyamalan’s career, he seemed to have understood how to let an eerie environment sink in, and almost be its own character. Everything about this movie works. The acting, writing, and directing are all phenomenal and show that, at one point Shyamalan did have talent. Watching the movie multiple times allows you to catch things you may have missed before, and you find more and more subtle clues that reveal the ingenious twist ending. Yes, the film is slow-moving, but it does keep you interested enough to keep watching. 

9 / 10  

Dracula (1931)

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Dracula is the first of its kind. This was the movie that started the Universal movie monsters craze that swept the 30s and 40s. I want to say I do like this movie quite a bit, though not as much as Frankenstein. The reasoning behind that is simple. The Frankenstein movie took a lot of liberties from a source material I didn’t like very much. Dracula took a great deal of liberties from a source material I absolutely loved. The most memorable and entertaining aspect of this movie for me was Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. This did lead to a similar problem that I had with Frankenstein. The rest of the cast wasn’t very memorable, and lacked the charm and charisma that Lugosi maintained through the entire movie. I remember pieces of scenes here and there, but never full scenes. I understand that this is a horror classic, but, for me, I like the book better. Again, keep in mind, I don’t think it’s a bad movie at all. I think it’s good enough that I could find something in the movie to enjoy. I appreciate what it started, but I can’t count it among my favorite horror films.   

8 / 10 

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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Silence of the Lambs remains one of the darkest, grittiest, most disturbing, realistic horror films of all time. It is the first, and as far as I know, only horror film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. The movie, and Anthony Hopkins’s Performance helped make Hannibal Lecter an iconic character. Few people seem to remember Ted Levine’s terrifying portrayal of Buffalo Bill. The character is frightening, especially with how much he feels like an actual serial killer. The film is well-written, and the tension really builds. The building tension is perhaps best utilized through the movie’s climax. The movie also understands the importance of less is more. When Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling is shown a picture of what Lecter did to a nurse, we the audience never really see what she sees. We just know it’s horrible. Couple that with the bone-chilling line “His pulse never got above 85.” Like the film Seven, much of the movie’s violent images seem to be a backdrop, until the conclusion. Spectacular direction, an all-around fantastic cast, and superb writing make for film that is great to watch on Halloween, but can easily be viewed any time of the year. 

10 / 10 

Scream (1996)

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Scream is one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s one of the first horror movies to balance dark laughs that poke fun at the cliches in slasher flicks of the 70s and 80s, and good fun scares that pay homage to them. The opening brings a lot of tension to the table, as does the film’s climax. Many of the deaths contained within the film are swift and brutal. As a mystery fan, I like the whodunit aspect, and the way the movie utilizes it. Actor Jamie Kennedy is an actor I don’t normally like. Here, I think he is amazing, and I can’t think of another actor who could possibly play the role of Randy. This is the movie that made an icon out of Ghostface, with a slick look and the terrifying possibility that anybody could be him because he is a Halloween costume. Neve Campbell is very good in the movie as the character of Sidney, as does Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers, doing everything in her power to break the Monica Gellar type-casting. This is the  first horror movie I ever saw, and the movie that made me fall in love with horror movies.  

10 / 10 

The Brood (1979)

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The Brood is a movie that did something few horror movies do to me. It left me speechless for several minutes. At first, certain plot elements seemed to be unimportant. Then, the climax put everything into perspective. Director David Croenenberg helms what may just be a masterpiece of horror. The last ten minutes were absolutely terrifying, as were several other points of the film. The film is very well acted. The children in the film are absolutely terrifying nightmare fuel, and the tension building in the movie is incredible. It took a while, but in the end, the ultimate reaction I came to in relation to this movie was that I love it, and see why it is considered a horror classic. The makeup effects are really good, and the titular brood look like evil little beasts that seem to come straight from Hell. Some moments in the movie will absolutely confuse you, and I think that might just be a good thing with a movie like this There are certain moments in the movie that are just disgusting enough that they’ll make you cringe. This is one movie that will definitely make you reconsider the decision to have kids.     

10 / 10 

Saw (2004)

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Saw could hardly be called the greatest horror movie ever made. That said, there’s still plenty to like in this movie. I’m just going to look at Saw on it’s own, not base it off what it spawned (torture porn). The first Saw is fun film to watch if you go in blind. This is the movie that birthed the  modern day horror icon that is Jigsaw. It gave us a new director who I think really gets horror. He doesn’t throw out any jump scares. He lets the atmosphere and the mood sink in, something I really have to respect. Unlike the later films, the gore and the traps are simple and take a backseat to the characters. The movie may have it’s share of questionable performances, but I have to give credit to Tobin Bell and Michael Emerson, who really put their all into their characters. The twist ending will leave you with your mouth wide open in disbelief. This is probably the tightest in terms of its story, since as the films continue, the plot holes become more noticeable. It relies on what you don’t see. The movie is a lot of fun, despite some noticeable flaws. 

8 / 10  

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

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It’s been fourteen years since the first Harry Potter movie was released in theaters. I got the chance to see it in theaters again, which was awesome. For the most part, Sorcerer’s Stone does a really good job of following the book. Some of the changes that were made don’t really bother me that much. The actors were all good in my opinion. Alan Rickman was handpicked by author J.K. Rowling to play Snape, and I don’t think a better choice could have been made. The acting, writing, and directing were fantastic. The unfortunate thing about the movie is that a lot of the visual effects haven’t held up too well for me. I could almost always tell when they used a CG version of Daniel Radcliffe. The green screen was pretty noticeable, and some of the creatures don’t look as good as they used to. Looking at the movie now, the fact that the special effects didn’t really hold up unfortunately does take it down a notch for me. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the movie. I do. In every other way, it has help remarkably well. It’s still a fun fantasy movie that deserves classic status. 

9 / 10  

Top 50 Favorite Movies (50 - 41)

#50. Demolition Man: Demolition Man offers up some pretty cool 90s action, and an insane but charismatic villain in Wesley Snipes's Simon Phoenix. The more and more I see it, the more and more fun it gets. 

#49. Trick 'r Treat: I am a huge fan of horror movies. Trick 'r Treat is a more recent addition to the horror genre that packs a pretty equal amount of scares and dark laughs, as well as Sam, one of my personal favorite horror villains. It's a modern Halloween classic, and for good reason. 

#48. Whiplash: The most recent movie on the list for me, Whiplash was one of those movies I started out liking, but when it got to a certain point, from then on I loved it. I've seen it three times now, and I like more every time I watch it. 

#47. Ghostbusters: Ghostbusters is just one of those movies for me that seems to be endlessly quotable. Billy Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis are a great comedic trio. It's a movie that always gets me laughing, or saying one of the lines from the movie without thinking about it.

#46. Armageddon: Armageddon came out around a time when Michael Bay really did seem to have a promising future. Yes, the dialogue is cheesy, but Bruce Willis's heroic sacrifice towards the end of the movie always gets to me. but this is still the one Bay movie I can just enjoy no matter what. I really do miss the Michael Bay of the 90s. 

#45. The Hangover: I'm not sure what it is, but there really is something about The Hangover that I just love. The visual gags just work so well for me, whether it's a stolen tiger waking up in the back seat of a car in an attempt to return it, or the three main characters opening the trunk only to have a naked asian man leap out and start attacking them. 

#44. Aliens: It was really a toss-up deciding between the first two movies, but I chose the second one because it did everything a sequel should do. It ups the ante, the amount of the aliens and the body count. Opting for an action movie approach as opposed to a horror element also works in the movie's favor. 

#43. Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Darker, grittier, and more realistic than its predecessor, The Winter Soldier is the movie that seems to have really changed how the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to look and feel. I love the action sequences in the movie, and the chemistry between Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. 

#42. How to Train Your Dragon 2: I love the attention to detail in the movie's animation, as well as the progression of the characters and their internal and external struggles. The movie introduces a bigger cinematic size and scope that I really cannot ignore. 

#41. Commando: If I were told to choose an absolute favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, it would have to be this one. His one-liners are at their best. His on-screen body count is at its highest. The action scenes get so stupid, I just can't help but love them.            

Edge of Tomorrow

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Edge of Tomorrow is a very clever, very engrossing sci-fi action movie. It manages to make something original out of a plot that combines Groundhog Day and Starship Troopers. Tom Cruise shows that despite his age, he still has what it takes to lead an action movie, and do it incredibly well. After Emily Blunt dabbled with the genre in Looper, she owns it here. She is convincing as a bad-ass, tough-as-nails, soldier who anyone would be willing to follow into battle. I will admit the building love story between the male and female leads is overused. Here, however, it is handled in a very believable way. I like the role-swapping too. In any other movie, it would be Tom Cruise training Emily Blunt. Here, it’s the other way around. I have so much respect for Tom Cruise being as willing to do his own stunts as he is. It shows a lot of respect towards the audience and what they want to see. The effects are spectacular, especially considering the fact that it is the story and characters that drive the movie.  

10 / 10 

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

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I really liked Rise of the Planet of the Apes. For me, it was a huge surprise in just how GOOD it was. For all intents and purposes, Dawn is even better. I like the similarities drawn between the humans and the apes in this movie. Caesar continues to evolve into one of the greatest characters ever. It was great to see how the apes thrived in their little area. I liked being able to see that they were evolving. The movie knew how to build tension. I also liked how the characters who were supposed to be antagonists had very understandable motivations. The other character I really liked seeing evolve was Caesar’s second-in-command, Koba. The pace can be slow at times which might turn some people off. The movie gives Koba a background that makes him a relatable villain. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes doesn’t try rehashing the plot of its predecessor. Instead, it continues the story of the first film, builds on it, and improves on it. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next. 

10 / 10 

John Wick

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John Wick is one of the biggest surprises ever. It is one of the last movies you really expect to like, especially when you see the advertisements. The movie does exactly what it needs to do. It shows that Keanu Reeves is as badass as ever. The supporting cast is all incredibly strong. Everyone from John Leguizamo to Willem Dafoe to Ian McShane is on top of their game with this movie. The film boasts what may be the best performance Keanu Reeves has given in years. One thing I will say is this, animal lovers watch at your own risk. The action sequences are fantastic and hold your attention. John Wick offers a fun action movie with a great story that harkens back to action movies of the 80s and 90s. It will most definitely please fans of the action genre, myself included. The film is well-written, making sure you understand the protagonist’s actions, as well as being expertly directed, creating this amazing world with some fresh ideas that no other action movie has given before, namely a hotel for hitmen. If there is anything John Wick proves, it is that we can still have original ideas with a lot of care and creativity put into them, and not have to constantly rely on sequels. Bring on a John Wick 2.    

10 / 10 

Thor: The Dark World

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In many ways, The Dark World surpasses the first Thor. Yet again, Tom Hiddleston steals the show, despite a more limited screen time in this movie compared to Thor and The Avengers. The chemistry between Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston is excellent because it grows stronger as the movies go on. The technical aspects of the movie are amazing. The costumes, makeup, and sets are all memorable enough. Idris Elba gets a little more to do, but I do wish he had more screen time. The comic relief worked for me in this movie a lot better than in the first film. Characters feel a lot more fleshed out here. It’s nice to have the chance to explore the realms a lot more here, too. In terms of flaws, one stands out. The main villain in the movie is weak. Seeing Chris Eccelston’s flat, boring performance of an uninteresting villain is especially painful when it is compared to Tom Hiddleston, who is nothing but charm and charisma. All in all Thor 2 is still a really fun time with some fantastic action set pieces, and great chemistry between most of the actors in the movie, making for a good flick. 

9 / 10    

Poltergeist (1982)

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To this day, Poltergeist remains a staple of horror cinema. The visual effects were groundbreaking for their time, even if they haven’t aged particularly well. The first film stands above its sequels due to the idea of letting certain possibilities sink in. The actors are great in their roles, and give off the feeling of a genuine family that has no idea what is happening to them. Heather O’Rourke deserves the most praise here, which is incredibly rare for a child actor or actress to pull off. She feels like a natural little girl, and the creepiness doesn’t come off as forced. It helps that the movie was one of the ones that started several of the cliches that are seen today, so it feels a little more inspired and original than it would’ve had it come out ten years later. There’s an idea of the unknown here that few horror movies today grasp, but this one does it extremely well. The look and setting of the house works too. As opposed to the stereotypical look of the haunted house, this is an average looking house in a suburban area. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor. 

10 / 10 

The Grand Budapest Hotel

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A bizarre film from a bizarre director, The Grand Budapest Hotel proves to be one of the most intelligent, clever comedies in recent years. This movie is especially refreshing after the disastrous year 2013 was for comedy. (Movie 43, Scary Movie 5, InAPPropriate Comedy, just to name a few) Enter Wes Anderson’s hilarious film that ultimately feels like a callback to whodunit comedies of the ‘70s and ‘80s like Clue and Murder by Death. Ralph Fiennes is hilarious, and deserves some recognition for his work. One of the funniest scenes in the movie is one where two characters have a very touching reunion, and a group escaped convicts are seen in the background murdering a man, and stealing a bus. My only gripe is that it takes a while to get moving, and has a very confusing beginning. Once the laughs do start coming, they don’t stop.   

9 / 10 

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

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Once again, Marvel proves the roll it’s been on since The Avengers. Guardians of the Galaxy is well-acted on all counts. I feel particular praise must be reserved for Bradley Cooper’s voice work. Cooper expertly steals every scene he’s in. Everything in this film just works. The effects are great, the make-up on Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista is incredible. The comedy in the film feels natural, as opposed to forced. The action sequences kept me glued to my seat, waiting for what comes next. Don’t even get me started on the incredible soundtrack. Many found the villain to be weak, and while I understand where those who say so are coming from, I disagree. Is he as awesome as Loki? No. But he’s far more memorable than the dark-elf from Thor 2. This movie also cements one thing for me, Josh Brolin is great as Thanos. My hope is that Guardians becomes Marvel’s very own Star Wars. I am incredibly excited to see where these worlds can be taken in future installments. 

10 / 10