Mini-review: Yeti: A Love Story (2006)

Yeti: A Love Story
Directed by Adam Deyoe & Eric Gosselin

A trashy bit of fun, this movie essentially encapsulates all that is both wonderful and horrible about Troma films all in a neat 80 minutes. Low budget, campy, self-aware, tasteless, tacky, funny, and completely insane and ridiculous in almost every way, it's a wonder movies like this even exist. With this kind of film, it's hard to recommend to people, but for the people who do enjoy trashy B-movie satire, this will be a good one to look for. Though sometimes the movie takes it too far in the gross-out direction, I still had fun with it.

Mini-review: As Above, So Below (2014)

As Above, So Below
Directed by John Erick Dowdle

One of the most uneven, creative, and ridiculous mainstream horror movies of the past few years, this movie takes many wrong steps as it goes, but succeeds in staying at least interesting and delivering a surprising and often quite interesting third act. What it lacks in scares, it more than makes up for in creativity, and has a few really great moments. It may feel at times a little bit like National Treasure, but I suppose there are worse things in the world than being similar in ways to a silly Nic Cage movie. Also, this really didn't need to be found footage. That's a gimmick that has really run its course, and it would be nice if in the future filmmakers would refrain from arbitrarily using it. Still, as erratic is it may be, this movie is worth looking into if you find yourself in the mood for a different kind of horror film.

Mini-review: It (1990)

It
Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace

Released as a two-part miniseries, this Stephen King adaptation has all the common traits found in his work. Though obviously not intended for adults, this movie has moments of creepiness, but much of that is diffused by how childish and bloated the story is. Pennywise the clown is one of the most iconic horror villains of the past 25 years, and a large reason for that is due to the actor playing him. Tim Curry gives it his all (as usual) in a performance that ranges from genuinely creepy to over-the-top silly and ridiculous, and the result is entirely entertaining. Not a bad movie, but still far too long for its own good and not very scary.

Mini-review: Lake Mungo (2008)

Lake Mungo
Directed by Joel Anderson

A slow-paced faux documentary that spends more time building up to a dramatic ending than it spends trying to tell an interesting story. Moments of eerieness are dispersed throughout the film in between interview segments that break the tension and take you out of the potentially immersive experience. Never delivers the punch it spends far too much time building up to, leaving you wanting and expecting much more. A strong premise executed in a very matter-of-fact way that eliminates a good portion of what could have made the movie creepy, powerful, and haunting. Still, an interesting movie that is worth checking out.

Mini-review: Swamphead (2011)

Swamphead
Directed by Dustin Drover & Justin Propp

This movie is practically the dictionary definition of what would classify as an acquired taste - or, rather lack of taste. Gory, tasteless, ridiculous, and ridiculously tasteless, this low budget horror movie is fully aware of its limitations and low-brow sensibilities, and shamelessly runs with it. Equal parts hilarious, absurd, and repulsive, this is the kind of low quality trash I could easily find myself watching again. No, it's not scary (nor does it try to be), and in many ways doesn't have any right to exist in the first place, but it's entertaining in a sleazy kind of way, and great material for bad movie night.

Mini-review: Frogs (1972)

Frogs
Directed by George McCowan

A genuine surprise, if only for the fact that it's not nearly as silly and idiotic as it probably ought to be. Though obviously not the darkest, most horrifying of horrors, this is a movie that knows its limitations and doesn't make an ass of itself (if that's something a movie can even do in the first place). There were a few moments that actually worked, and though it's hard to find frogs even remotely terrifying, I appreciate the effort and relative effectiveness of this movie -- especially considering its inherent restraints. Also, bonus points for the poster.