Dark Skies

Aliens have chosen your home. So what would you do about it? Although Dark Skies does not teach us anything new in terms of the potential existence of an Alien race, it does show you that boarding up your house to prevent abduction is a waste of time...they are aliens for Christ sake! RUN!

With a neat quote on how we are not alone to begin with, Dark Skies is the story of the Barretts; a family struggling to cope with financial issues. Just as things begin to go their way, a majority of supernatural mishaps is forced upon their suburban house; while sequences of moving objects, ringing noises and an empty fridge might be something to deal with, a flock of birds from three different directions is not, leaving the family to question what is turning into a series of unexplainable events.

As we know, there is always a peculiar member of the family. In this case Sam (Kadan Rockett); their youngest and certainly the cutest. Sam spends his days talking to the sandman, who as we see time and time again in these suspenseful stories, the chances of the so-called sandman existing are very high. While the mother Lacy (Keri Russell) is passing it up as childlike immaturity, Lacy begins to realise that the events in the house could be related to Sam.

Struggling to convince her husband Daniel (Josh Hamilton) of the potential danger the family is involved in, Daniel typically shrugs it off as a dose of paranoia (the man never believes the wife, why?)

It is following the visit it to an Alien connoisseur (J.K. Simmons) that all is revealed; the house has been targeted by aliens. And as blunt as it may sound, there is no apparent solution to this, however Daniel is adamant to protect his family.

There is a majority of boring sequences involving nothing, with the second half of the movie trying to justify an alien invasion under bizarre circumstances, with the typical involvement of someone who has spent their entire life searching for answers.

I was really looking forward to this, knowing that the producer of both Sinister  and Insidious are involved, I was hoping to be satisfied in terms of a good story and a good scare. The story had potential, with an introduction that gets you quickly involved but the second half of the movie just lost its way. I was willing to ignore the majority of boring sequences of unrelated dialogue and drug using teenagers (although Jesse, played by Dakota Goyo, is quite a rebel) in order to be really frightened because let's face it, I don't remember seeing modern day Alien style horror like this? They don't come around very frequent so I wanted this to work.

Sure, some scenes were cool, the birds, the hungry Aliens etc, but there was too much stupidity brought on by Daniel that I failed to get involved with any of the leading characters. They are caught up in unfortunate circumstances, but you fail to lend them any pity. You root for the Aliens (when they appear).

With one or two scares involving the appearance of Aliens, I wanted more. Dark Skies failed to stay consistent.

Although the trailer survives on promoting Sinister and Insidious, it his for that reason Dark Skies falls flat, using a similar concept of horror through-out (or script if you like); the drawings, the strange kid, abduction, if you have seen Sinister or Insidious you will know what I mean when I say it is all way too similar.

Overall: It is no Fire in the Sky, Signs and certainly no Close Encounters. However the uncontainable use of drama could be ignored to understand a mundane story. I give it credit for its screeching scares every now in again, but the characters and the plot are way too similar with a second half that looses its touch.

5/10

Look out for: The potentially worthy remake of Evil Dead & The Conjuring - July (Trailer below)

Maniac

Elijah Wood has been off the grid lately. Sure he appeared in the Hobbit (obviously), but he hasn't
pitched a starring role in quite a while. So when a small time trailer connecting Elijah and serial killer, I was surprised; not of his return, but his role choice.

Maniac - have you heard of this movie? you are about to, not only through my opinion, but many others. Directed by Franck Khalfoun, Maniac is best described as outlandish, introducing a dark and gritty concept that takes grotesque to a new level.

An introduction of retro style music and dark scenes of mean streets, Maniac delivers a sequence of pure class upon the introduction of Frank (Elijah Wood); a deranged stalker of the streets. From the off we see this kid lacks everything except his skill for murder. Visioned through the eyes of Frank, the grotesque method is forced upon as he stalks, whispers and inevitably chases his first victim through the hallway of a hotel - BOOM - slashed in epic style, the retro music enforces the title of the movie to bolder the screen, Maniac, in thick red old school font. What I was in for? I thought I knew, I was wrong.

Tormented by his nightmarish upbringing, Frank lives in a shop occupied by mannequins; which seem to be his only company. However things change for Frank has his obsession for collecting human scalps is unwillingly put on hold as he meets Anna (Nora Arnezeder); a cute little french girl who takes a liking to the mannequins in his the shop. It is when she requests to rent the mannequins for an exhibition that sees a relationship evolve, but not the way Frank would have wanted it. Struggling to maintain his murderous obsession, Frank continues to slay the women of the streets, while trying to be a friend to Anna - which Frank knows mentally, can never happen.

Sure, people walked out of this movie and rightly so. But I on the other hand loved it. Maniac is a respected horror movie, shot using first person angles. I though that was bad ass because it provided and maintained a level of realness throughout the entire movie. We only get to see Frank in mirror reflections, which in most cases he is seen puking into the toilet as his horrendous physique gives off a shock-horror premise that pumps up the gore in every scene. Not to give too much away, but there is a scene when Frank is pursuing another female, chasing her through a train station and ending up in a car park. Thinking she got away Scott-free, we are with Frank under a car as he slashes her ankle, revealing the entire bone that just popped out of her skin!

There are moments in the movie that just spell unnecessary and down right haunting. We get a fine insight into what potentially drove this kid to insanity and yes it does include his mother in scenes that I can only describe as shock-horror. You might walk out remembering this movie for the wrong reasons. I had to overcome the fact that the deaths in this movie could of actually been the sacrifice of real humans - It is horrifically realistic.

Maniac arrived under the radar. I like those type of movies. Elijah Wood gives a brutal, yet static performance, even though the majority of sequences provide you with nothing other than his bloody hands. Was the plot logical? sure, in a way. I mean it is based on the mind of a serial killer suffering with problems bigger than female hatred. I have to agree with the poster; "a modern horror classic". We are too used to paying into movies that offer the potential of a good scare, but really, chances are, we have seen it time and time again. Maniac forcefully delivers a blender of ingredients mashed up of Michael Myers and Drive. Yes, if Drive was a horror, it would be this.

Overall: A strange movie, but one that is easy to follow. The stalking premise and grotesque scenes will send shivers down your spine. Forget ghosts and demons, Maniac has provided a window of opportunity for producers to follow a similar path.

It is a joy to watch if your squeamish...

8/10

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Sinister

                                           "Once you see him, nothing can save you"

Sinister is written and directed by Scott Derrickson, who judging by his resume, this guy loves his horror movies; that I don't have a problem with! I was really looking forward to this flick for two reasons; Insidious was one of my favourite horror movies of the last ten years, so my anticipation grew with the production of Sinister carrying the same producer. And B, prior to seeing Sinister, I watched "House at the End of the street" which left me desperate for something fresh.

Ellison (Ethan Hawke) is an accomplished writer who brews his career through the premise of true-crime stories. His obsession is based on the majority of murders and mysteries surrounding them with a weight of controversy surrounding his Journalistic morals.

Ellison is hell bent on reaching a peak he is yet to discover in his career while trying to convince himself of the stories he covers are for the people, and not for fame. It is no convenience when he moves his family into their new home, a suburban crime scene; a freakish killing spree that resulted in the hanging of an entire family. Desperate for his big break, Ellison has to manage the Ora surrounding the town and its unspoken crime and his wife Tracy (Juliet Rylance) who is convinced of a refreshing start to a troubled past.

Although the Sheriff (Fred Dalton Thompson) voiced his own opinion on Ellison's reputation, it doesn't stop the willingness behind Ellison's personality as he stumbles across a box of horrific surprises that hold a motive behind his current investigation.

Without hesitation, Ellison puts the mysterious reel of tapes together as he is disturbed but yet satisfied to witness a plethora of found-footage images that take him on a journey through a nightmare worse than he could have imagined.

Desperate to fulfil is unwanted duties, Ellison discovers a dark figure within the murders; a supernatural spirit that haunts those who discover the tapes.

Ellison's insight into the murders reveal an origin of secrets that is sure to shock the town as he believes, in cliche journalistic fashion, "the people must to know". Although Ellison is not prepared for the danger he could place on his wife and kids as a demon lurks behind his projector of evidence.

Judging a book by its cover is not my thing, but by its introduction, that is how I roll!. On the off, Sinister invites you down a dark and twisted path, most likely a journey that you will have never witnessed before. The first scene reveals a taste of refreshing initiative. Originality is not the main key to Sinister because to be blunt, it ain't original, but it is really scary.

The main premise is the constant suspense that is revealed within the tapes. It is not graphically gory, just down right disturbing with each video backed up with a frightening tune. Just like Paranormal Activity, the majority of scares are within the backing of found-footage. But apart from the mundane routine events in 21st century horror movies, Sinister succeeds in disturbing the mind of the viewer without actual "Jump-Scares".

The plot is fascinating in it's own sick way, following a puzzle that I had no idea how it would come together, but it did, and it did so in original fashion.

Looking at the majority of Horrors this year, it is obvious to label Sinister as the best and certainly the scariest movie of 2012 thus far. I adore my horror movies so I was quite satisfied with a concept that is not entirely fresh, but revealed scenes with simple ideas and found a way of visually implanting an image into the viewers head. It is not always about the full on graphic that disturbs the mind, it is the motive behind it that really gets the viewers asking questions, and better yet, remembering something that almost feels a supernatural reality.

Overall; Not entirely original with the folks behind the scenes nit-picking at Insidious and Paranormal Activity. However, the overall creation of horror is really frightening, with scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. Sinister is a successful result of a genre that has unfortunately been the subject of poor and effortless movies lately. Halloween is approaching, don't hesitate with this one!

7/10

My Top 5 movies of 2011

Well it is nearly that time a year again. The time when an over weighted, old pensioner with a white beard shows his strange love for kids by delivering them everything they ever wanted! People celebrate Christmas by getting drunk and fat as we make our way into the year that will be 2012. I have decided to celebrate this years movie releases by reflecting back on what I felt were most enjoyable.
It is fair to say most will not agree with me, although most I know have called 2011 a horrific year for movies. I fail to agree. It has been tough choosing on what I believe was a great year for our cinemas.
(In no particular order)

X -Men: first class: An extraordinary return to the X - Men series. A return that led us back in time if you like. 1962 was the birth of the first hybrid of mutants. Besides from the plot, which was brilliantly based around the brink of world war 3, the addition of James Mc Avoy as the young Charles and Eric Fassbender as Magneto turned out to be the back bone of the movie. We got an amazing insight into the friendship that once was, and how a clash of personalities led to Charles Xavier and Magneto creating the X-Men saga, as archenemies. The movie also gave us an exquisite insight into the characters of teenage mutants, such as storm, mystique, and Beast. My favourite addition to X-Men origins was Kevin Bacon, who plays a Sebastian Shaw. Sebastian was your typical bad guy. Who better could you have chosen to round of what turned out to be a fantastic movie!  

Rise of the planet of the Apes: Judging from the breathtaking release of the first official trailer, this was a movie that could have went horribly wrong...or surprisingly good. My verdict? was certainly better than good, Rise of the apes was an amazing creation of a saga that critics were waiting so eagerly to slate. Honestly I never did have much knowledge of the original trilogy. An to be honest again, they look terrible. My first introduction to planet of the apes was when Mark Wahlberg found himself unwanted by a bunch a angry apes back in 2001. I discovered even that version failed to get the best of reviews. I enjoyed it. I mean Tim Burton made the huge step up from what was clearly monkey clothes to full on costumes and make up. In fact, my opinion? he made the apes look ten times as real! So without going off subject, like I kind of did already, Rise of the Apes starred James Franco and John Lithgow and Andy Sekis (Caesar the Ape). A fantastic movie which gave us mind blowing CGI. It was brilliant and original to have the star of a movie be an Ape. We got a class insight into the mind of Caesar and the intelligence that comes with it after he learns of the experimental drug supplied by owner Will. The drug, intended to cure alzheimers', finds the hands of some mistreated apes, that leads to serious, yet entertaining consequences.

Crazy Stupid Love: Without being hugely convinced of Steve Carell's talent on screen? a movie that involved himself and Ryan Gosling was a genius creation. Cal, played by Carell is suddenly heartbroken after his wife (Julian Moore) confesses to cheating. Cal eventually gives himself no option but to leave the home, with the possibility of divorce. Obviously heart broken, he is discovered down in the dumps by Jacob (Gosling). Jacob is a hotshot. A ladies man who knows nothing other than playboy language and offers to teach Cal how to talk the talk, and the walk. The movies genius comedy arouses when it is clear Cal knows absolutely nothing about women after being married for a whopping 20 years. Crazy stupid love avoided full on slapstick comedy which made the movie ever more brilliant. It's touch of drama and every day incidents gave it that feel good factor, with some heartbreaking scenes. The comedy was never full on and succeeded in bringing out the true talents in Steve Carell. A cast of Kevin Bacon and Emma stone gave the movie a fantastic touch.

Warrior: A movie, based on the fasted growing sport we have today, MMA. Tom Hardy plays Tommy, the younger brother of Brendan played by Joel Edgerton.The two brothers, both struggling in different ways, see the light when an MMA tournament is advertised, offering the biggest purse in the history of the sport. The father, played by Nick Nolte arrives on the scene to discover both brothers have manged to avoid each other since Tommy's return from the army. Warrior just might be my favourite movie this year. This was a fantastic movie that blew previous fighting movies out of the water. The acting from Tom Hardy and Joel was amazing, not forgetting a brilliant performance from Nick Nolte. A movie based on broken family's, dream chances, and extraordinary events, makes Warrior a peach of a movie. The plot, besides from the obvious, feeds us with real in dept stories to the lives of the fortunate, and the not so. Director Gavin O' Connor made a wise decision in developing a fighting movie away from boxing. I believe with the UFC growing every year, it has finally taken over what once was the home of the great Muhammed Ali, that was boxing.

Drive: Every once in a while an actor comes along with great ambition and imagination, one who clearly has that wise choice of movie. He knows the trick to successful acting and wouldn't hesitate to spit in the face of someones idea of a poor movie. Ryan Gosling, possibly the greatest actor of our generation stars in Drive.  To be honest, Drive had as much a plot as Bambi did. That was the genius concept we were greeted with. Gosling plays a hired driver, taking on any kind of job ( illegal of course) an he is sure to get you outta there before the cops arrive. If not, " He is all yours". Driver (Gosling) is a quiet, tense character. His driving at night is a secondary job to his stuntman work during the day. Things do get nasty after the introduction to Nino (Ron Pearlman) and Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks), as well as the accidental involvement of Irene (Carey Mulligan). A strange movie that can't be described in words. The trailer on it's release was quality. It gave away a different movie that viewers initially intended to see. The violence came as a suprise but the viewer will leave afterwards relising it blended well with the tension in the storyline. Drive is accompanied by a nice 80's retro soundtrack that made it all the more enjoyable as we watched Driver do his work. Ryan Gosling is by far my favourite actor today, who starred in two of my favourite movies this year. Brilliant.

(I wanted to add a plus 1. The simple reason being the lack of great horror movies over the years made this one an instant classic I just couldn't avoid adding to my favourites of 2011)

Insidious: Insidious is a a gripping horror based around the family of a young boy who suddenly falls into a mysterious coma. Patrick Wilson plays the father Josh, and wife Renai is played by Rose Byrne. The young boy Dalton is led into the coma after exploring the attic of their new home only to find himself struck by what seems to be a paranormal demon. The terrifying story begins from there as a demon seems to stalk the boy seeking to capture him from the coma he lies in. Without saying too much on the events, this was, by far my favourite horror of the past few years. The last great horror that made me jump from my skin was "Drag me to hell", a remake by Sam Raimi. Those who love the old school style of the horror genre would adore that movie, released in 2009. Insidious was successful in touching off that old school, spine-tingling experience. Honestly? I was shook for a good two nights. The fact that I failed to stop thinking about Insidious clearly told me that this was a quality horror movie. The future of horror movies does not seem to hold anything like Insidious. My advice to you is see this, embrace it with enjoyment and chills as it will be a long time before anything will scare you like Insidious!