26 October
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HALLOWEEN 5: THE REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1989)Director: Dominique Othenin-GirardStarring: Donald Pleasance, Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Beau Starr, Wendy Kaplan “I prayed that he would burn in hell, but I knew that hell would not have him.”Much like how Halloween II picked up with the ending of the first one, the fifth entry in the series picks up toward the end of the fourth film as we see Michael Myers being shot down a mine shaft. Despite Dr. Loomis (Pleasance) telling everyone he was dead, we should all know better than that. He slips out another exit of the shaft and floats down the creek. One yearRead More →

25 October
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HALLOWEEN 4 THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS (1988)Director: Dwight H. LittleStarring: Ellie Cornell, Danielle Harris, Donald Pleasance, Michael Patki, George P. Wilbur, Kathleen Kinmont “Jesus ain’t got nothing to do with this place.”Michael Myers has survived the explosion that happened ten years ago. As he is being transferred back to Smith’s Grove, he kills the medical personnel in the ambulance and escapes. Michael’s old psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis (Pleasance), is made aware of his escape and tries to warn the police of his return to Haddonfield. Why would they believe him? Michael’s been in a coma for years and Dr. Loomis is just a crazy oldRead More →

24 October
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HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982) Director/Writer: Tommy Lee Wallace Starring: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy, Nancy Kyes A.K.A. The Halloween movie without Michael Myers. WHAAAAAATTTTTTT??? I’ll get to that in a bit. A deranged man clutching a Halloween mask announces “They’re coming. They’re coming” as he collapses into a gas station. The mask is from Silver Shamrock Novelties shop whose ads are running nonstop on television as a countdown to Halloween. They are quite creepy and disturbing. He is brought to the hospital where he is placed under the care of Dr. Andrew Challis (Atkins). The next string of events involving theRead More →

23 October
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HALLOWEEN IIDirector: Rick RosenthalWritten by John Carpenter and Debra HillStarring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance, Charles Cyphers, Pamela Susan Shoop, Dick Warlock Even though it was released three years after the first film, the story picks up toward the ending of the first film when Laurie Strode tells Lindsay and Tommy to go get help at the McKenzie’s house. Despite being shot numerous times by Dr. Sam Loomis (Pleasance), Michael Myers (Warlock) has survived and is “on the loose”. The infamous John Carpenter score takes over as the opening credits roll. Laurie has survived the horror after being stabbed in the chest by Michael andRead More →

23 October
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I mentioned in a previous post, I have thoroughly enjoyed attending the 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest. It has gives great exposure to a wide variety of films ranging in style, budget, subjects, and genres. You name it. Many of these may or may not get a wider release than playing at various festivals. My plan is to write some mini-reviews showcasing some of the films I have seen. Days 4 and 5 of the Fest brought these two delightful little films.GHOST LIGHTDirector: John GaspardStarring: Dietrich Poppen, Dawn Brodey, Austan Peterschick, Joel Raney, Kelli Gorr After a performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” goesRead More →

22 October
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This review was originally posted October 2012, but I have added some updates regarding the 2013 35th Anniversary Blu-Ray releaseHALLOWEEN (1978)Director: John CarpenterStarring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance, P.J. Soles, Nancy Loomis, Kyle Richards, Brian Andrews, Nick Castle “I met this six-year-old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and, the blackest eyes… the devil’s eyes.”A simple score of just a couple of notes plays as the opening credits roll.  The audience can start to feel the tension for the movie that is about the start.  Don’t let a simple score fool you.  The John Carpenter penned theme perfectly sets the mood for the openingRead More →

22 October
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This is my first year attending the 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest, and it has been a fun experience thus far. I have seen six films so far all ranging from big studio releases likeNebraska to smaller local films. I have been able sit in on a few Q&As with the directors and stars, attended some mixers, and met some new film buffs and bloggers. Here are two mini-reviews for some of the films I have seen so far. Nebraska still stands as my number one pick so far. Unfortunately, that review will have to wait a few weeks. WINTER IN THE BLOODDirector: Alex and Andrew SmithStarring: Chaske Spencer,Read More →

21 October
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NEBRASKADirector: Alexander PayneStarring: Will Forte, Bruce Dern, Stacy Keach, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk, Mary Louise Wilson There is something I love about seeing a studio logo in black and white. There is something so timeless and classic about it.Nebraska, the latest from Alexander Payne, is presented in black and white and I can’t conceive of it being in color. I just do not think it would have the same affect. Woody (Dern) believes he has won a million dollars after receiving a sweepstakes certificate in the mail. He is a cantankerous old man who decides to walk to Nebraska from his home in Billings, MontanaRead More →

15 October
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CAPTAIN PHILLIPSDirector: Paul GreengrassStarring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, Catherine Keener Based on the scary true events from 2009, Paul Greengrass (“The Bourne” sequels, United 93) brings another sharp and pulsating story to the big screen that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Captain Richard Phillips and his wife (Keener) kiss each other goodbye as he heads off for his next job. He is leading the cargo ship Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean around the Horn of Africa. At the same time a group of young men in Somalia form a crew to set out andRead More →

08 October
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V/H/S/2Directors: Simon Barrett , Adam Wingard , Eduardo Sánchez , Gregg Hale , Gareth Evans , Jason Eisener , Timo Tjahjanto Starring: Lawrence Michael Levine, Kelsy Abbott, Adam Wingard, Hannah Hughes, Jay Saunders After V/H/S received somewhat of a following, a sequel was naturally rushed into production. This should come as no surprise as we are talking about the horror genre. Like its predecessor,V/H/S/2 is comprised of “found footage” and is also part of the sub-genre of horror known as anthology films. Anthology films are typically made up of smaller short films/segments that may or may not center around the main storyline. Try not to get too confused orRead More →