+1 (2013)

This Review Contains Mild Spoilers

+1 is a movie that I hadn't heard of until about a week ago. Boasting a high concept, and starring that guy from the Purge, it caught my attention enough to watch it (and it was on Netflix, so whatever). The movie starts out with Purge guy fucking up hardcore with his long-time (about 730 days) girlfriend. He decides he is going to fix things at this huge party event, full of loud music and a shit load of people (he doesn't make the greatest decisions through-out the movie). During the party, a meteor, that no one really noticed, starts fucking with the electricity; causing lens flare, and time-jumping doppelgangers/overlapping time-lines. 

The movie's party setting gives it an energy that its present in the majority of party-centered movies, but here it made the film feel like more happened. The party's soul purpose feels like it is to assist the plot in spanning 90 minutes, and serve as land-marks for the time-jumping.. On top of that, they added tons of shit that was not needed, and didn't even make sense at some points. A rule that they set up, and becomes a huge part of the narrative, is that you can change the course of what happens to the time-jumping-doppelgangers, especially if they, you know, see a duplicate of themselves. This is ignored in a scene where characters see them selves, but when the time-jumps, they still do what the originals do (hump). In another scene, a character walks by a group of people, who are focused on the duplicate of her, and throws something on one their dresses, and then walks by herself.  Booze, boobs, and CGI flaming tennis balls make the film just a bit easier to watch. 

It isn't all bad though. There were a good amount of missed opportunities, but they did an alright job of taking advantage of this Body Snatchers-esque concept. The final act pays off a little, but the ending sucks. The movie is moderately entertaining, and I recommend watching if you're in the mood for flashing colors.

Last thoughts:

-I'm convinced the Red-head was shoe horned in because they found actresses that were twins and didn't mind making out.

-I'm glad they never involved the girlfriend's fencing into the movie.

-Those were pretty shitty strippers.

-Home Depot is knowledgeable. 

You Should Be Listening

Horror Podcasts are the newest craze in the horror online community, but where do you start?

Up until earlier this year, I couldn't of told you exactly what a "Podcast" was. Talk radio always kinda interested me, but I was always tuning in halfway through some joke or interview. Listening to people talk sounds like the dullest thing in the world, but after running out of music while working during the summer, I ventured into the world of Podcasts. Here's a few that I think you'll like.

Killer POV

Killer POV is by far my favorite Podcast. Every week Rob G (Fearnet, Icons of Fright), Elric Kane (Inside Horror, Jumpcut Cafe), and Rebekah MckEndry (Fangoria) fill your head with horror knowledge, Nunsploitation, obscure movies that probably don't actually exist, and must-see films. Often with guest and topics, it's hard to finish an episode without a list of movies to check out. Their reviews are almost always spot-on, and their opinions on the news are worth hearing; they're anything but boring and rapey. Also, if you never thought LA was the place for you, they'll make you think again.

The Movie Crypt with Green & Lynch

The Movie Crypt is just one of the many great things from Adam Green (Ariescope Pictures, Hatchet, Holliston) and Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2, Holliston). Bringing great insight on film-making and the biz; Adam, Joe, and some times a guest, are like an audio film school. Offering a couple fan commentaries, hilarious stories, and a fan question section, The Movie Crypt is a great place to start. 

Dead Air: The Liberal Dead Podcast

What Dead Air lacks in production-value, they make up for with great discussion and material. They offer retrospectives, and even a series of The Walking Dead centric episodes.Listening feels like you're sitting with friends, just shooting the shit.



I listen to many more Podcasts, so I'll probably do another post about them soon! Comment with suggestions or thoughts on the ones I posted, especially if you start listening to any! Thanks! 

5 Halloween Movies You Possibly Haven't Seen

Between Horror-Movie-A-Days, Sales, and marathons, October is full of films, as it should be. I can't think of Trick-or-Treating without thinking of Hocus Pocus, can't go to the store without seeing a Ghostface mask, and can't get on the tubes without seeing lists of movies to watch in October. The hardest part of watching movies in October is picking which are worthy of the "October Viewing". So, here is another list,  movies you may have not seen, but are worth squeezing in.

Although I won't be listing Halloween or Trick r Treat, if you aren't watching both of those movies around Halloween, there is something wrong with you.


1.) Murder Party (2007)

Murder party is a more comedy-than-horror film gem that has yet to gain the recognition it deserves. It stands leagues above your average "Indie Horror-Comedy", and is a prime example of what a group of extremely talented people can do with a super low budget.




2.) Cry Baby Lane (2000)

Cry Baby Lane is a semi-controversial Nickelodeon original movie. Part Children of the Corn, part Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this movie was deemed "too super spooky" and was almost erased from exsistence, until it was re-aired in 2011. Starring some familiar faces like the front-man of Glint, Frank Landella, that comedian, and Britain's number one sprint hurdler; this movie does a great job portraying child adventures and will surely give you some nostalgia.




3.) When Good Ghouls Go Bad (2001)

Can't find a proper trailer, so here's a clip.



When Good Ghouls Go Bad may have an unfortunate title, and some unfortunate CGI, but this Fox Family TV movie is a personal favorite. Doc Brown is the star of this film, it has an interesting story, and is filled to the with everything that makes a Halloween film. A must watch if you're a fan of artsy goth kids.




4.) Halloweentown (1998)

I've got a Fox Family and Nickelodeon, so of course I'd have a Disney Channel Original Movie. Halloweentown is a lot more well known then the others on this list, and is the king of Halloween Tv movies. This movie is a childhood classic for most, so it doesn't really need much of a write-up.




5.) Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

I know what you're thinking, and yes, Season of the Witch isn't exactly a Deep-Cut. This movie is well known as "the Halloween without Myers", but it's a great film once you get past that. It has recently gained popularity , but just one look at it's IMDb page, where it is on lists like "Films I Have Not Seen but I Know They'll Be Crap" and "Unwatchable Movies", makes it obvious that it still has an undeserved stigma, and it's not yet received the way it should be. Also Tom Atkins is the man.


So, what did you think of the list? What of these have you seen? What would you add? Feel free to comment, and have a Happy Halloween!

What Halloween Means To Me.

Fall is a time of change; plants die, vacations end, school is in full swing, and the weather becomes bi-polar. Screw what the calender says, Halloween begins when the leaves change, the temperature drops, and the air smells like what I can only describe as bacon-bits-ish. Every year the Halloween spirit seems to hit further and further away from the actually month. Buzz about Haunted Attractions, TV specials, and Holiday themed treats makes you curse that it's still summer.This year the spirit hit me towards the end of July. I've always hated summer, especially where I live, so it's difficult not to wish fall was here already.

My family has always been into holidays. My parent's anniversary is on Valentines Day (smart move), I have gotten Easter Baskets for as long as I can remember, we go see fireworks, and we have boxes dedicated to each Holidays decorations. Christmas and Halloween are the big ones though. I love Christmas a lot, so don't get wrong, but Halloween is the true "Season of Giving". Halloween sees thousands of people giving strangers the one thing they want, so Christmas can give up on being about selflessness.

I have always loved Halloween. I can remember almost every costume I've ever worn. There was the time I was Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, and was too sick to Trick r Treat, so I had to hand out candy. I was also a Vampire a lot when I was super young (my parents aren't the most original). Halloween always seemed like a way to conquer your fears you want candy, you have to face that scary ass Freddy. Halloween is a celebration of fear, just like horror films. You can be a kid again, get scared, and eat lots of candy. Halloween shows that it's okay to be afraid, and that's why it's the best holiday there is.