The Sci-Fi Chronicles book brings me to the remake/reboot/prequel to one of my all time favorite John Carpenter films, The Thing. I love both previous cinematic incarnations of this film, the paranoia and isolation that permeates the story and characters of Carpenter’s film, and the crackling dialogue and pacing of the 50s version, The Thing From Another World. So…
Tag: practical effects
Avenged (2013) – Micheal S. Ojeda
Releasing from Anchor Bay today, was this supernatural revenge thriller, that surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. I thought it would be a little enjoyable, but I found myself really getting into this one. Zoe (the lovely Amanda Adrienne) is a deaf/mute girl on a road trip to spend some time with her…
Muck (2015) – Steve Wolsh
After I am ZoZo, this horror feature, also releasing from Anchor Bay today, was much more enjoyable, looked so much more professional, and to sound completely like a guy, did not skimp on the cleavage. Muck is a welcome throwback. Using 21st century pacing, and filming techniques, Muck is very much an 80s horror…
WolfCop (2014) – Lowell Dean
Get ready to howl, as the B-movie flick that caught everyone’s attention last year hits DVD today thanks to Anchor Bay! With its tongue planted so firmly in its cheek, it’s a wonder that the wolf can howl at all, this film heartily embraces and savages it Canadian and B-movie origins, while showcasing some fantastic…
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) – Fred Niblo
The next film up on the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film list of recommendations following my screening of Intolerance is this tale of Ben Hur (Ramon Navarro), a young Jewish prince intent on vengeance for the ruin of his family at the hands of the Romans, interwoven around the tale of Christ…
Pumpkinhead (1988) – Stan Winston
The always so cool Lance Henriksen stars in this creature-feature, cabin-in-the-woods horror film that was the directorial debut of the late, and much-missed Stan Winston. In a film packed with people I recognize, two of them from my favorite television show ever, Quantum Leap, the film plays within the typical B-movie tropes, but with…
Fan Expo 2014
It’s that time of year! Geekery abounds, the stars show up, costumes come out and there is a lot of fun to be had. Sprawling across both buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Center, Fan Expo has grown and this is a big year, as many previous and beloved guests are coming back for…
Clash of the Titans (1981) – Desmond Davis
Now this is the way you do a Greek mythology epic, with heart, fun and some top-notch stop motion effects. There is more emotion and character in a single armature movement in this film, than in the whole of the pixelated version of the 21st century! I was so happy to be able to…
The Strain Set Visit
Tonight, Gullermo del Toro presents a new vision in terror as the series premiere of The Strain launches a new kind of vampire. Back in March, I was invited to the set to have a look at what goes on behind the scenes and along with some fellow media types (a number of whom…
Evil Dead (2013) – Fede Alvarez
I decided to watch a couple of remakes this week, to see how they look, and how they stand up to the originals. We need to establish I’m a huge fan of the originals, I recognize they are full of faults, but there is also an undeniable charm to them, as Raimi and his…
