Jackass presents: Bad Grandpa

Genre: Comedy
Director: Jeff Tremain
Starring: Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll
Running: 92mins

As Jackass 3D came to an end in 2010 it felt like the right time, and while the 3D concept was well orchestrated and hilariously professional, the 3D premise was not much of a comedic step up from its predecessors. Three years on, Johnny Knoxville returns with Bad Grandpa; a Borat style mockery of gullible America with a surprisingly relevant but extremely brief story line. 

Irving Zisman (Knoxville) finds himself in an unexpected situation following the death of his wife. Excited at the prospect of dabbling in American women, he is approached by toward the end of a hilariously disturbing mass dedicated to his wife's recent passing. Irving is left with no choice but to consider his morals, and more importantly, his family, and agrees to take grandson Billy halfway across America to his uncommitted father. 

The loose plot in Bad Grandpa is wonderfully connected to the pranks that follow along the way as each pit-stop is met with the intention of distracting the people around them in comedic and at times disturbing fashion. Both Knoxville and sidekick Billy are ambitious from the start, holding no punches as they gate crash a wedding, destroy a local diner, flirt with women and the climatic build up of the beauty pageant in a fantastic scene that the trailer so stupidly reveals. However there is a lot more involved, as the sleazy 86 year old brings back some Jackass related moments such as robbing supermarkets, and potential fistfights with controversial moments involving racism and homophobia. 

The chemistry between Knoxville and child star Jason Nicoll is a treat, with Nicoll's stone faced impressions proving gutsy in some terrifying situations; he is well mentored by Knoxville as he is clearly obliged to escalate further havoc to the finest and strangest parts of America. 

Just like the previous Jackass movies, Bad Grandpa is short and may leave you wanting more. Bad Grandpa seems inspired by Sacha Baron Cohen's fictionalised plot in Borat. With Knoxville's renowned bravery, this ambitious attempt at shying from Jackass but keeping the bones of its origin pays off even if the trailer did reveal the majority of the hilarious pranks involved. 

The Original Nightmare Returns

Fans of Robert Englund's Freddy Krueger will get the opportunity to embrace the original Nightmare on elm street this Halloween. Coming to UK cinemas (no word regarding us Irish), A Nightmare on Elm street (1984) will re-emerge to celebrate both the creepiest night of the year, as well as the movie being regarded as one of the best horror movies to date.

Fans of the horror genre were left bitterly disappointed in what was quiet an obvious, yet bluntly dissatisfying remake that saw Jackie Earl Ray play the scarred child slasher in the remake of 2010. While I for one saw it as nothing other than entertaining, the majority of fans will want to quickly forget the attempted re-creation directed by Samuel Bayer.

For one night only, on October 31, Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street will darken cinemas with ultimate frightfulness in order to give audience a satisfying scare, something that is very rare in modern horror.

A new HD trailer is available to support the release, in which you can see over on Empire. In the meantime, check out one of the many iconic scenes involved with this horror classic.

Insidious Review 2012

Insidious is a classic piece of work released in 2010. It follows the Horror slash chiller path, representing a genre that has failed cinemas for the past 10 years . Certain Horror movies have made a significant mark in cinema history, dating as far back to the genuis work in "It"(1990), Halloween (1978), "Friday the 13th (1980) and "A Nightmare on elm street"(1984). Those few of many classics are fine examples of the word, "Horror" as they were successful in frightening the audience, leaving visual implants into the brain of the average viewer. If you are still thinking of a movie that scared you mentally and physically before you go to bed at night? that movie had done it's job. If you find yourself watching it for the next 20 years or so, it is indeed a classic. Similar to my examples above. Another example, Insidious.

Dalton Lambert (Ty Simpkins) falls suddenly into a catastrophic coma following an accident in the family's abandoned attic. The parents, Josh and Renai are bewildered to the result that follows as Dalton is hospitalised before being transferred home to be treated further more.

The Coma appears far from basic as several months on reveal Dalton is no closer to being revived. It is when spiritual happenings occur through-out the house that Renai (Rose Byrne) begins to question the possible relation to the apparent haunting and her son, Dalton.

Josh (Patrick Wilson) is your typical male, ideal father. Although he is paranoid for the safety of his son, he does not believe in Paranormal activity. The films disturbing plot is seen through the eyes of Renai and Josh as we watch their creepy situations come to life. As Dalton lies lifeless in his bed, both parents are caught up in haunting visions and disturbing sounds as whatever it is stalking the family home, it appears to be coming from Dalton's room.

In a desperate bid to seek and rid the house of the evil spirits, Renai invites paranormal doctor Elise (Lin Shaye) in a last ditch attempt to convince herself that she is not going insane. The Inclusion of Lin Shaye proved a touch of class as the result of her inclusion is highly memorable, offering a more darker feel than her character "Elise" originally intended.

A haunting tale with a slight twist, Insidious looks and feels awesome. The movie is shot with a dull shade of grey, giving off a depressing feel to what seems ever so real. There are some jumpy scenes that will guarantee the awakening of the average viewer.

A great introduction with a snip of relation to the vintage Hammer production, with a frightening violin tune that the mind will struggle to erase once the movie comes to a climax. Without saying too much about such a clever and tense concept, it is a plot that should be truly revealed in a dark room, by yourself!

This review is based off my viewing of Insidious the second time around. I am delighted to say it scared me senseless, just as it did upon its original release.

Taking into account what we have seen over the years, Insidious finishes top with one of the best horror movies of the past ten years. The last movie released that blends into this category is "Drag Me to Hell" by Sam Raimi . Also a must see for all horror fans.

Insidious did all the right things for me. It had me shook in a disturbing way, a way that makes me want to witness its crafty work over and over again.