Psycho - What does it Share with The Empire Strikes Back?

If you ask a random person off the street about The Flash's secret identity, more than likely they've never read a comic book in their life. Furthermore, I doubt they'd be able to tell you Barry Allen (and I really doubt if they would tell Jay, Wally, or Bart). However, if you ask anyone about Superman's, they'll quickly respond Clark Kent. Similarly, only cinephiles can tell you the director of movies like Strangers on a Train, Dial M for Murder, and Rebecca. But the minute you mention Psycho, immediately Alfred Hitchcock registers to the brain, regardless if they've seen the movie or not.

Everyone knows Psycho's plot: Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) decides to run away after she steals $40,000 from her workplace. Tired from driving, Marion stops for some rest off the old highway - The Bates Motel. Run by a peculiar young man named Norman Bates (played by Anthony Perkins), he also takes care of his cruel, yet ill mother in the old house behind the motel. Not caring for Norman's attraction to their new customer, Mrs. Bates brutally stabs and kills Marion in the shower. Being the loyal son that he is, Norman gathers all evidence of Marion and disposes of it by throwing it into a nearby swamp. But when Marion's sister and lover begin searching for her, what secrets and darkness will they discover at the Bates Motel?

If you are one of the few people who doesn't know the ending to Hitchcock's film, stop reading now and do yourself a service - Pick up Psycho and watch a Cinematic Masterpiece. I'd love to be in your shoes!

Now, I'm going to believe most people are like me and probably knew the film's "twist" before even seeing it. In my case, Universal Studios spoiled Psycho's ending in their Alfred Hitchcock Exhibit when I was only a kindergartner. I vividly remember because my family got to skip to the front of the line since my grandfather was chosen to play Norman Bates in a reenactment of Psycho's shower scene. I laugh back on it now, but I was terrified to sleep next to my Grandpa that night...

Just as everyone knows Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father, it's synonymous that Norman Bates is the killer. These pieces of pop culture are so ingrained with society that they've become common knowledge. Personally, I wish I could rewatch this film and be as surprised as those who first viewed it in 1960. I imagine the next generation will have a similar relationship to The Sixth Sense since it's parodied so much in movies and television. Regardless, if you do know the ending of Psycho, you can easily enjoy the movie as the suspense is created through the characters, cinematography, and music.

I highly recommend picking up the latest Blu-Ray because it's filled with tons of bonus features and has the seal of approval from TCM. I haven't watched Psycho in quite a while, but Anthony Perkins blows Vince Vaughn out of the water. He plays the role perfectly by showing a likable guy filled with frustrated innocence who can quickly transform into a terrifying murderer. The character of Norman Bates has made major impact on cinematic history, creating a passageway for slashers and bad guys to exist on the silver screen today.

So on Death List Five, Psycho ranks #4

The Woman in Black - Did the PG-13 Rating Ruin my Movie Experience?

I love going to the movie theatre because there's nothing like watching a great film on the big screen. My favorite movie experience of all time was Grindhouse - Not only was the double feature awesome, but the audience was terrific as well. It was a midnight showing where everyone wanted to be there and enjoy some Tarantino / Rodriguez action. Although there were loud outbursts of laughter, shock, and disgust, it only enhanced the movie rather than hinder it.

However, I went to a film the other day and had the exact opposite experience: Teenagers were yelling, cussing, showing off, throwing popcorn, talking on cellphones, and playing with the houselights. Majority of the audience was either exuding of hormones or dreamy-eyed over Harry Potter . Although I'm trying to isolate my viewing experience from the content of the film, The Woman in Black was a weak horror film.

Before I become even more disgusted by my fellow audience members, let's go over the premise of this film directed by James Watkins: Daniel Radcliffe is a young lawyer who recently lost his wife. Although he is filled with sadness and pain, Radcliffe must go to another village and settle the estate of a dead woman. When he visits the house, Radcliffe sees a terrifying ghost, The Woman in Black. A sighting of this evil spirit brings nothing but a dark omen - Young children of the town kill themselves. These deaths are horrific, ranging anywhere from jumping out of two-story windows, drowning themselves in the bottom of a lake, or incinerating their bodies in a blazing building. With the townspeople blaming Radcliffe for plaguing their children, will he be able to solve the Woman in Black's mystery before it's too late to save his own son?

I thought this film particularly suffered from having a weak and convoluted storyline. There was really no character development and it was never clear what loose ends Radcliffe had to tie up in the haunted house. The strongest points were the costuming, lighting, and set design. Set in Old England, the film's darkness and texture carried the presence of the old Hammer films. But despite the creepiness of the possessed toys reminiscent of Poltergeist, all of the horror relied on cheap scare shots and loud noises.

Now, this probably isn't a fair statement, but I believe I would have enjoyed this film a lot more if it was rated R. Would it have kept immature adolescents away from my presence? Yes, but I was expecting more thrill and scare. I've seen both The Ring and The Grudge (both PG-13 films) on the big screen and they both conducted enjoyable movie experiences. These films had enthralling stories and a dark ambiance to keep their audience entertained. I know I'm ranting, but with the exception of being Radcliffe's first film after Harry Potter, this movie has no elements of cult status.

So on Death List Five, The Woman in Black ranks #2.

Sleepaway Camp - Didn't See This Ending Coming

For this blog entry, I have to give credit to the Double Feature Podcast. Whenever I see a new episode queued up into my I-Tunes account, I'm always surprised how their tastes align with mine. The hosts (Eric and Michael) are either covering films I've just watched or movies I plan on viewing. Double Feature has a reoccurring event called Killapalooza, where the crew screens all the movies in a horror franchise. Past Killapalooza's have covered Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hellraiser, and even the Amityville Horror flicks. One of their latest installments was on Sleepaway Camp.

Having never heard of this franchise, I decided to listen to the episode, ready for any spoilers until Eric and Michael announced: Do not listen to this episode until you have at least seen the first Sleepaway Camp. So I decided to take their advice, and wow, was I actually surprised!

Sleepaway Camp is a 1983 Slasher film directed by Robert Hiltzik. The premise is simple, kids at Camp Arawak are brutally murdered one by one. These deaths include:

• The head chef doused with boiling water (this guy deserved it, he was a pedophile)
• A camper drowned in a capsized canoe
• A camper stung to death by bees in a bathroom stall
• A camp counselor stabbed in the shower
• A camper raped with a curling iron (this was the "Mean Girl" of the camp)
• Three elementary campers mutilated by a hatchet
• The camp commissioner shot in the neck with an arrow

The film focuses on one particular camper, Angela (played by Felissa Rose). Angela is extremely shy, making herself a target for bullying and is constantly rescued by her likable cousin Ricky. As the murders progress throughout the film, all signs lead to Angela being the murderer. So as I'm watching this film, I'm asking, do the Double Feature guys really think a female murderer is really such a shocker?!?! But I shouldn't question Eric and Michael as the final shot totally took me by surprise! Angela is a boy!!!!

That final frame was so horrific between the music, noise, and image! After reflecting on the film, all the clues were there, but I just didn't see them coming. As we find out, poor Angela was "masculinely" repressed by Ricky's mother and was raised as a girl. So no wonder she became a serial killer and didn't like to be felt up by boys...

I'm not sure if I'll ever watch any of the Sleepaway Camp films other than the chance to see footage of teenage girls running for their lives in slasher tradition (and possibly Felissa Rose). But that's one of the great benefits of listening to Double Feature's Killapalooza's so you don't have to suffer through horrible sequels.

So on Death List Five, Sleepaway Camp ranks #3.

Road Games - This is No Rear Window

My DVR is quickly approaching its full capacity with a large portion consisting of TCM Underground films. I'm going to write posts on these movies more concisely so I can clear out my backlog without missing a chance to view any of my recordings. To help keep me focused, I'm going to use the following template to review TCM Underground films:

1. Start with a quick synopsis.
2. Finish on why I think the film has reached a cult status.

So to start off this new format, I'll begin with a 1981 film directed by Richard Franklin: Road Games. This roadsploitation film follows a trucker (played by Stacy Keach) who picks up a female hitchhiker (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) off the long highways of Australia. As they travel down the road, they hear reports on the radio of women hitchhikers being picked up and strangled by some unknown serial killer. Along their journey, they spot a green van and suspicious driver who appears to be a likely suspect. When the duo decide to spy on the van during their route, the truck driver becomes a suspect himself. While trying to keep a low profile among the authorities and other commuters, can the truck driver and his companion survive a deadly game of cat and mouse?

Throughout this movie, I had a hard time keeping interest. It depicts a trucker lifestyle but is definitely no Smokey and the Bandit. So why might this be a cult classic?

• It stars Jamie Lee Curtis a few years after some of her big roles in Halloween and The Fog.
• The truck driver's best friend is a Dingo (and who doesn't like a dingo).
• This was a large budget Australian film and can be considered Ozploitation.
• The story was somewhat influenced by Alfred Hitchcock's film Rear Window. Not only is Curtis' character named "Hitch," but the story carries similar voyeurism and stalking elements seen by the helpless Jimmy Stewart.
• Of all the scenes in the movie, the most memorable is the strangling by wire. It's so memorable because you can see the weapon is clearly a guitar string.

Even though the movie didn't capture me, you can tell it's Exploitation. The story isn't anything spectacular. However, its promotional material, like the poster seen above would have enticed me into the seats of the movie theatre.

So on Death List Five, Road Games ranks #2.

Hobo With A Shotgun - Homelessploitation

I don't think I'll ever be able to emphasize it enough, but I love Tarantino's and Rodriguez's Grindhouse. It was my all-time favorite movie experience: A midnight showing, a fun crowd, a double feature, and awesome intermission trailers. And it was those fake trailers in between films that made me fall in love with Exploitation Cinema. When Exploitation was being produced in the 70's, the movie itself could be terrible, but it was the exciting movie previews that got an audience to fill the seats of the theatre. So to gain interest in the production of Grindhouse, an Internet sensation came to fruition as the general public were challenged to submit their own faux trailers. While there were many awesome trailers produced, there was one that stood above the rest: Hobo With A Shotgun. With high appraise, support, and a legendary lead to helm the title role, this small fan project grew into a full overblown movie production.

Starring Rutger Hauer, this 2011 film was directed by Jason Eisener. Hauer plays a hobo who has just arrived to Hope Town and quickly discovers it's filled with nothing but hopelessness. Aspiring to save up enough money to buy a $40 used-lawnmower, he has no chance of making an honest living in a city overridden by crime. After saving a prostitute named Abby (played by Molly Dunsworth) from being mutilated, the Hobo can no longer handle the corruption and decides to take matters in his own hands - He trades in his dreams and life-savings for an avenging shotgun. As the Hobo slowly cleans up the streets, will he be able to defeat the evil crimelord running Hope (or should I say Scum) City?

From my little synopsis, you can tell this movie is outrageously overblown. However, along with all the silliness and humor, you have to have the right stomach to watch this film as it's filled with some pretty horrific scenes:

• Homeless are decapitated using "glory holes"
• Naked women erotically beat dangling homeless people with razor serrated baseball bats
• A bus full of elementary students are murdered through the use of a flame thrower

Just as Machete is a "Mexiploitation" film, Hobo With a Shotgun is a "Homelessploitation" film. Right from the start, the movie's opening title card screams of Exploitation. Portrayed with a grainy film stock, you feel like you're watching a film in the Grindhouse. Even the story's plot exhibits these perverse elements. The homeless are oppressed and forced to do excruciating things such as chewing on glass while being filmed on camera. However, once the Hobo comes to town serving justice by shotgun, the homeless band together to fight the system. Mix in some sex, blood, and over-the-top dialogue, this movie makes homage to the quintessential Exploitation films.

As for the acting, Rutger Hauer plays the role of the Hobo perfectly. He comes into town, nameless, in a similar fashion to Clint Eastwood from the Leone Westerns. He is strong willed and doesn't like to be tied down. Even though he hides behind a tough demeanor, he has an affectionate side, especially towards Abby. Preserving a platonic relationship with elements of a father and daughter, the Hobo is able to pass his torch of rebellion onto Abby. Molly Dunsworth effectively plays this role, feeding off of Hauer's presentation and becomes a strong and beautiful character the audience likes. In the end, both actors display a intimidating side (especially when Abby sacrifices her hand), where they become scary figures we wouldn't want to mess with, reminiscent of Hauer's Android role in Blade Runner.

If you like Exploitation Films, this movie is for you. If you liked Grindhouse, this movie is for you. Or if you only liked the Thanksgiving and Don't Trailers, this movie is for you.

So on Death List Five, Hobo With A Shotgun ranks #4.

Following - The Old B and E

Christopher Nolan knows how to make a solid film. From his stunning grittiness of The Dark Knight to the complex intricacies of Inception, Nolan is able to fill the seats of a movie theater. But before his record breaking blockbusters, and even before his creative storytelling of Memento, Nolan directed a very unique short film called Following.

This 1998 Neo-Noir takes place in the streets of London where an unnamed man (played by Jeremy Theobald) has a unique hobby: Following. He randomly follows people to see what they do, who they meet, or where they go. He never interacts with his prey, until one day he is caught by a man named Cobb (played by Alex Haw). Rather than be disgusted by the man, Cobb takes interest in him and shows him his hobby: Burglary. The two men begin working as a team, breaking into random houses and stealing personal items. However, the man becomes infatuated with a Blonde (played by Lucy Russell) whose house they break into and forms a relationship with her outside of their escapades. But with a rift forming between him and Cobb, risky tasks inquired by the Blonde, and a murder occurring, has our protagonist gone too far with his stalking?

In a similar fashion to Memento, this film is told in a non-linear fashion. It's not backwards, but it interlocks three chronologies following the three primary characters. One chronology is told from the main character's perspective while the other two showcase his interactions between Cobb and the Blonde. Eventually the three chronologies converge and you know the whole story and a twist is revealed.

As for noir elements, the story is told in black and white. Reminiscent of the old classics, the main character is a writer and narrates the story. Cobb is the slick criminal mastermind making the calls. As for the Blonde, she isn't really who she appears to be and is that Femme Fatale pulling the strings of our protagonist. Although this film is quite dark, I can't help but think of Dane Cook. Since their occupation consists of burglarizing homes, I think of Dane's B&E (Breaking and Entering) from his Vicious Circle stand-up comedy special. Dane's hilarious anecdote doesn't go the same direction as Following, but it has similar dynamics when Cobb and company go on their first burglary.

One final observation: The criminal mastermind of Following is named Cobb. If you ever watched Inception, you may notice Leo's character carries the same name. Although their characteristics are a little different, you can't help but ask, are these the same Cobb's? They both are master thieves and they both keep their hair slicked back. Could Cobb from Following be Cobb before the events of Inception? Probably not, but I like to see links and continuity between director's films (a reason why I like Tarantino so much!).

Following is a solid film and you can see Christopher Nolan taking root with his unique storytelling. I wouldn't rank this film as one of my favorites, but I'm sure it got the creative juices flowing so we get the awesome projects he's producing now.

So on Death List Five, Following ranks #3.

The Italian Job - The Ultimate Cliffhanger

AMC's Breaking Bad had a cliffhanger keeping us in suspense for almost a year. Luckily tonight, the waiting ends and we'll continue down the dark path of Walter White. So in honor of my favorite show on television, I present a movie with a cliffhanger (although more comedic) on par with Breaking Bad: The Italian Job.

Directed by Peter Collinson in 1969, The Italian Job is your typical heist movie in which a band of British merry men plan to steal pallets of gold from the Italian Government. It's a complex job that requires the heist team to disable the city's computer traffic control system so they can take advantage of the chaotic streets. Once they manage to steal the gold, the team quickly transfers the pallets into Mini Coopers so they can easily manipulate through the Italian city of Turin. With the police and the Mafia on the crew's tails, will the team be able to get away with the gold?

The heist team is led by Charlie Croker, played by the suave Michael Caine. When I think of Caine, I think of Alfred, Batman's butler or that crazy hippy guy from Children of Men. Although the humor aspect is epitomized, Caine also played Nigel Powers, a definite homage to Croker, a witty man loved by the ladies, yet heavily respected by his crew.

Each member of Croker's crew is essential in completing the job. Of all the members, the most beautiful is Lorna (played by Maggie Blye), the only American member at his side (or I at least assume since she has a Texan accent). He is funded by Mr. Bridger (played by Noël Coward), the prison warden purchasing the team's resources and equipment (Croker had to break into jail to get Bridger to sign on). And finally, the man responsible for scrambling the traffic control system is Professor Simon Peach (played by Benny Hill), a comedic and strange fellow who has a fetish for fat women.

So now you ask, how does the Italian Job come full circle with the ultimate cliffhanger? After watching Mini Coopers drive through Turin's off-terrain passages and bumpy stair paths (entertaining scenes I cannot describe but need to be watched), they load the gold onto a stripped-out bus. As the bus leaves the city streets, they maneuver through the twisting and mountainous roads of the countryside. They're almost free when the driver tragically takes too sharp of a turn and sends the bus teeter-tottering off the edge of a cliff. As the group of men cautiously shift all their weight to the front of the bus, they fearfully watch the mountain valley peering through the rear window. With the catchy lyrics of "Getta Bloomin' Move On" (aka "The Self Preservation Society") queued and ready for the ending credits, Croker concludes the film with these final words: "Hang on a minute, lads, I've got a great idea!"

Nevertheless, The Italian Job is an entertaining caper with some awesome car chase sequences. Although I'll never know the fate of Michael Caine's crew in their literal "cliffhanger," at least by the end of tonight, I'll get some catharsis on how Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul get out the mess they were left in last year.

So on Death List Five, The Italian Job (1969) ranks #4.

Diabolique - The Psycho Ending

When a man abuses his wife and mistreats his mistress, what twisted plan can these female victims devise? As we find out in Henri-Georges Clouzot's thriller Diabolique (1955), nothing but a tale of murder and paranoia arise.

The plot is simple: The fragile wife is convinced by the strong-willed mistress to kill her abusive husband. Making the murder look like a drowning, the ladies dispose of the body in a murky pool. After a few days go by and the body has yet to be discovered, the two ladies have the pool drained and the body is gone. Paranoid where the body went, the women start to question:

• Is someone toying with us by removing the body?
• Or is this guy really dead?

With these questions, the audience is kept in suspense. The longer the body is gone, the more creepy and supernatural the movie gets. Since this film takes place in an all boys school, the children claim the principal (meaning the "dead" husband) has been stalking around the campus. As the frequency of these "wise tales" flourish, the women become more terrified the husband isn't really dead. Backed with black and white imagery, you can't help but stay on the edge of your seat. And looking at this haunting screen shot, how can you not be disturbed by this film?

As of late, I try not to reveal the endings in my movie reviews. At times, I write selfishly to remind me of the whole movie from beginning to end. However, if I spoiled this ending, not only would I be doing a disservice, but I'd be disobeying the last wishes of the film's final title card: "Don't be devils. Don't ruin the interest your friends could take in this film. Don't tell them what you saw. Thank you for them."

Overall, I really enjoyed this film. Yes, it's subtitled, but I promise it doesn't take anything away from the film. Just imagine you're watching the French scenes from Inglourious Basterds (but this is a little more creepy).

So on Death List Five, Diabolique ranks #4.

Revenge - Is this True Romance?

Revenge is a 1990 drama directed by Tony Scott. After serving a 12 year term in the Navy, Cochran (played by Kevin Costner) takes a trip to Mexico to figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. After spending time with his wealthy and powerful friend Tibey (played by Anthony Quinn), Cochran forms a relationship with Miryea, Tibey's beautiful wife (played by Madeleine Stowe). When Cochran and Miryea discover they are truly in love, they run away to start a new life together. However, Tibey finds out their whereabouts and brutally tortures them. Left for dead, will Cochran be able save Miryea and get their revenge?

This is a rough movie to watch. As an audience, we want to see Cochran and Miryea live happily ever after. Even though they are unfaithful, we want their relationship to succeed. However, Tibey gets his revenge and makes the audience suffer for their betrayal:

• For Cochran, they beat his body to a bloody pulp, kill his dog, and burn his house down.
• As for Miryea, they cut up her face and enslave her to a whorehouse.

The main reason I watched this film was because Tarantino mentions the movie Revenge in his audio commentary for True Romance. Tarantino claims we fall further in love with this couple because Cochran must live a life without Miryea. Similarly, Tarantino wrote the same fate between Clarence and Alabama in his script for True Romance. However, Tony Scott changed the ending from Tarantino's screenplay because he didn't want to suffer losing another beautiful couple.

My only complaint of this film was Cochran didn't dish out his revenge like I wanted him to. Sure, he shot some rounds and fought with a knife, but I wanted to see him blow up buildings, twist off some toe-nails, and hack off some scalps.

As one last note, I didn't recognize Madeleine Stowe in this film. I know her best from 12 Monkeys, but I usually recognize her when I randomly flip through movies on TV. I think it was her portrayal as a Hispanic character that masked her identity from me. Brunettes and Latinas are my weaknesses and I thought she was absolutely stunning in this film (probably another reason why I was so angered when she was suffering in agonizing pain).

Overall I enjoyed this movie, but I couldn't watch it anytime soon. For whatever reason, my emotions overcame me on this one.

So on Death List Five, Revenge ranks #3.

The Woman in the Window - Is it a Beautiful Picture or a Dark Reflection?

It's been a while since I've watched Film Noir. As a person who likes film, I know I shouldn't have any problem watching movies in black and white. I have all these older movies in queue, but I usually have a hard time pressing play because I have some inner voice telling the movie is going to be boring since it's not in color. However, once I start the film, I'm instantly mesmerized by the story and have no idea why I was hesitant beforehand. This once again happened to me in Fritz Lang's 1944 mystery, The Woman in the Window.

Starring Edward G. Gibson, Professor Richard Wanley notices a beautiful portrait of a woman in a store window. After discussing how wonderful it would be to meet the woman behind the painting, his dreams come true when he sees the woman's reflection in the storefront window. After striking a conversation with the actual woman (played by Joan Bennett), she invites him back home to look through her other paintings. But as the two are sitting on the couch examining her art portfolio, a man walks into the house with a jealous rage and starts to strangle the professor. In self defense, the professor stabs the man with a pair of scissors, leaving a dead corpse in the center of the room. After deciding they shouldn't inform the authorities, the professor and woman have to dispose of the body.

When trying to get rid of a dead body, there are two parties you have to worry about: The Police and Blackmailers. Lang shows how to handle both using Gibson's character. Since the professor is friends with the district attorney, he tags along to observe the process of uncovering the "killer's" trail. Using this knowledge to his advantage, he is able to tie up loose ends he forgot to conceal. But at the same time, he must deal the man trying to blackmail both him and the woman.

Even though the professor devises a plan to poison and quiet the blackmailer, he remains a likable character. Overall, he is an innocent man put into a seedy situation. By doing the dirty work of disposing the body, he takes control of the situation yet maintains his charm.

As for the femme fatale, you can look at Joan Bennett in two ways. She may be the beautiful painting of an innocent woman trapped in an abusive relationship. Or, she may be the dark reflection in the window, using the "cute little old man" as a payoff to get rid of her dirty baggage. I have mixed views as she did hand the professor scissors when he was being choked. Was she doing it for the professor's benefit or was she wanting the other man dead? By the end of the film, I feel she was pushed into the situation rather than commanding it. However, seeing the beauty of Bennett, she could be easily pulling the strings of the professor (and even myself).

As for most films of this time, no one ever gets away with the crime. However, even though Gibson becomes a part of the lawlessness, the film is able to preserve Gibson's morality with a sweet and comedic ending.

Once again, my inner voice has been hushed that black and white films are boring. Fritz Lang proves he is a master of his craft, beautifully telling the story. Even though I am watching these older movies for my own appreciation, I will make it a goal to share them with others so they too can enjoy countless hours of black and white cinema.

So on Death List Five, The Woman in the Window ranks #4.

Trick 'r Treat - This Should be the Next Horror Franchise!

For a time of fireworks and barbecue, I guess it's an odd time to watch a movie about costumes and candy. But when you're craving for something in the realm of horror, it's okay to splurge on a movie even if it's not the right holiday season. Luckily I had the perfect movie sitting in my Netflix Queue for the last couple of months: Trick 'r Treat

Written and directed by Michael Dougherty, Trick 'r Treat (2009) is an anthology of 4 short stories taking place in a single town one Halloween night:

1. The Principal: Is this man a father figure or a child serial killer?
2. The School Bus Massacre: Local legend says a group of troubled children drowned on a school bus. But what happens when some kids try to pull a prank based on this old wise tale?
3. Surprise Party: Sometimes girls just wanna have fun...
4. Meet Sam: A grumpy old man with a haunted past gets visited by an evil Trick or Treater...

For me, the most disturbing tale was The Principal starring Dylan Baker. However, if you took any one of these stories and separated them from each other, they would make great episodes for Tales from the Crypt. Each story presents a frightening plot resulting in a twisted ending. For instance, in Surprise Party (featuring True Blood's Anna Paquin), this story appears to be the murdering exploits of some beautiful girls looking to party. But once we see the princess costumes come off, you no longer fear for the girls, but worry about the males who are tied and lit up under the Full Moon sky...

So yes, Trick 'r Treat presents some fun single stories. However, taking storytelling one step further, this anthology is presented in Pulp Fiction style. Characters that we see in one story are seen in the background of another. And to give the viewer re-watch value, each sequence is like a jig saw puzzle put together in a non-linear fashion. For example, this movie begins where the story ends. The movie opens with a small vignette featuring a husband and wife being terrorized (staring Dollhouse's Tahmoh Penikett) and ends with them being stalked by Sam...

So who is Sam? He is the living embodiment of Halloween who upholds it's traditions. Dressed up like a cute sack boy from Little Big Planet, this force of terror is armed with razor blade chocolate bars and serrated lollipops. As another link between each story, he comes out of the background and into the foreground in the fourth tale. We root for this character as he becomes the slasher we are jonesing to see. As we associate Jigsaw with the Saw movies, we'll associate Sam with Trick 'r Treat.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie. As recommended by one of my favorite podcasts, Double Feature (http://doublefeatureshow.com/), this would be an awesome franchise for horror films since it has the perfect formula: You can tell 4 different witty tales and link them together using Sam. Between merchandise and comics printed through Wildstorm (and written by the awesome Marc Andreyko), I'm surprised Warner Brothers hasn't already banked out on some Direct-to-DVD's. But until they wise up, just as I have It's a Wonderful Life on December 25th, at least I found a new movie to satisfy my holiday craving on October 31st.

So on Death List Five, Trick 'r Treat ranks #4.

Drive Angry - Without the 3D Please!

Ever since Planet Terror and Death Proof, I've been dying for some more contemporary Exploitation Cinema. Luckily we've been blessed with Machete and Hobo With A Shotgun, but I'm still waiting for Thanksgiving and Werewolf Women of the SS. But in the meantime, although not part of the "Grindhouse Branding," Patrick Lussier's 2011 film Drive Angry provides a wild ride of cars, sex, guns, and a touch of the supernatural.

Milton (played by Nicolas Cage) is a perplexing man on a mission to rescue his dead daughter's baby from a crazy Satanic cult. Although he is quick with a gun and cool with the women, he doesn't have any wheels to chase after the bad guys... until he meets Piper (played by Amber Heard), the hot blond with a Dodge Charger. Adding to the cat and mouse games, a mysterious man called The Accountant (played by William Fichtner) is after Milton to collect his soul. With dark forces and bullets surrounding his goal, will Milton be able to save his granddaughter?

This flick is filled with intense action. I was on the edge of my seat when Cage was rescuing Heard in the Charger while she was to struggling to stay alive on a speeding RV with nothing but her bare hands. And you couldn't help but be mesmerized when Cage is unloading bullets into lowlifes whilst banging a waitress. Although I was not expecting a supernatural element to the film, it was a nice twist that added more depth to the film. With a gun called the "God Killer" and Fichtner's enigmatic, yet likable character The Accountant, this movie takes you to Hell and back.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film. It provides mindless entertainment with mind-blowing action. My only complaint of the film is the 3D effects. They were unnecessary, looked fake, and added no value to the film. This is just another example of Hollywood being greedy with their money. With all hokey effects aside, Amber Heard more than makes up for the mistake. Me being a fan of brunettes, she is a blond I wouldn't mind seeing in the back of my Charger or Chevelle someday...

So on Death List Five, Drive Angry ranks #3.

The Killer - Woo Makes the Gun a Viable Substitute for the Sword

Other than Mission: Impossible II, I haven't watched a lot of John Woo films. His story of Ethan Hunt differs from De Palma's and Abrams', but you can't discount the fact it's jam-packed with action. So, if you're looking for another shoot 'em up, watch John Woo's 1989 classic, The Killer.

With guns a blazing, Ah Jong (played by Chow Yun Fat) is a hired assassin working for the Triad. After accidentally blinding a beautiful girl during a hit, Ah Jong wishes to leave his trade and restart a new life with the girl he impaired. However, with the crime boss after his life and the police wanting to put him away, will Ah Jong be able to get away with his earnings and restore his love interest's vision?

If you dig deep, The Killer is filled symbolism, drama, and romance. But as we all know, the reason we're going to watch this film is for the high energy ballistics. A suspension of disbelief is required because the rate at which Chow Yun Fat unloads his rounds, he'll be out of ammo in 2 seconds. But with squibs bursting, glass breaking, and cars chasing, you don't care. It's like watching Beatrix fighting the Crazy 88 but with her sword replaced with firearms (although Chow does get one good knife kill).

As of late, I'm trying to expand my horizons by watching more Asian cinema. Because of Tarantino's interest in exploitation, I've watched a few Kung Fu flicks and heavily enjoyed them. Luckily, the Weinstein Company and Genius Products started a joint venture called Dragon Dynasty to help distribute more of these films to an American audience. I have a few other blu-ray's from this film line and will eventually review them. So if you're interested in what Dragon Dynasty has to offer, check their website at: http://www.dragondynasty.com/

Overall, I had a lot of fun with The Killer. And because of it, I will watch more John Woo films like Hard Boiled and his American hit, Face/Off.

So on Death List Five, The Killer ranks #3.

Suspiria - A Movie to Compliment my Dancing Phobia

For whatever reason, I've always been scared of dancing. I enjoy music, but my body cannot translate rhythm into physical motions. I've always been a wallflower unless a pretty girl convinces me to come out to the dance floor. Because of this dancing phobia, I've always been disinterested in dance movies... until I saw Black Swan.

Natalie Portman made me realize the art of ballet is quite fascinating - It involves a harsh lifestyle that tests the limits of the mind and body. After watching Black Swan, I have utmost respect for dancers and started watching classic musicals such as the Red Shoes and Singing in the Rain. My excitement for musicals has faded since, but my little sister reinvigorated my interest in the art form after watching her dance recital last weekend. However, I've been wanting to watch a horror movie as well, so I decided to go back and watch one of those TCM Underground films I could barely stay awake to - Suspiria (When I fell asleep, it wasn't because the movie was boring, but because I had a long day at work)

Suspiria is a 1977 Italian Giallo horror film by Dario Argento. When American Suzy Bannion (played by Jessica Harper) arrives at a German Dance Academy, she is greeted by a distressed girl who is whispering and fleeing from the school. Although Suzy couldn't make out what the girl was whispering, she knows things aren't right - She suffers from sickness, people around her are mysteriously murdered, and the school is possibly run by a coven of witches. Will Suzy be able to survive this house of horror and uncover the truth behind the fleeing girl's whisper?

Stylistically, this is a beautiful movie. The sets are crafted with extraordinary colors and architecture. Although most of the scenery is covered with wallpaper I'd never put up in my house, it suits the antiquity of the film. Another unique feature is the lighting. Colorful lights illuminate the screen and switch like a traffic light, informing the audience how their mood should change throughout the film.

Although this movie has an artistic flair, we have to remember it is a horror film. The death scenes are horrific, containing nooses, razor blades, and dog bites. Before the deaths occur, the musical score by Goblin starts to play, having a similar sound to Tubular Bells from The Exorcist. However this music is more frightening because it contains foreign sounds and creepy whispers in the background.

My favorite horror movie as of late is House of the Devil. Ti West's film isn't set in a dance studio (although it has an awesome dancing scene), but there are some similarities between the films. They both feature beautiful brunettes who have to enter and survive a haunted house. Both protagonists encounter brutal and bloody deaths. Finally, both pictures have creepy old witches that will give you nightmares.


This film doesn't contain as much dancing as Black Swan (although Natalie Portman was rumored at one time to star in a remake of Suspiria), but it's still artistically haunting to watch. Suspiria isn't for everyone, but if you are a lover of horror, you will enjoy this flick.

So on Death List Five, Suspiria ranks #4.

Carrie - No! They're All Gonna Laugh At You!

Years ago when I was still in high school, Adam Sandler was my idol. I can fondly remember sitting next to my CD player listening to his comedy albums, cracking up to the vicious sounds of The Beating of a High School Spanish Teacher or the catchy guitar riffs of Lunchlady Land. I also reminisce laughing to another skit called They're All Gonna Laugh At You (also the album title). However, little did I know this track was a reference to the classic Stephen King horror tale, Carrie.

Carrie is a high school misfit (play by Sissy Spacek) who is bullied by almost everyone in the student body. To make matters even worse, her mother (played by Piper Laurie) is an abusive religious extremist who forces Carrie to repent for any thought or action which may be considered "sinful." However, when Carrie discovers she has the powers of telekinisis, will she be able to contain her unique gift or will she unleash it upon those who hurt her?

The main reason I decided to watch Carrie was because Tarantino is a huge proponent of this film. Directed by Brian De Palma, you can easily spot his signature trademarks. This is particulary apparant during the prom sequence where Carrie is humiliated for being voted (or should I say rigged) as Prom Queen:

• Camera Movement: I'm not really sure how to describe it, but the camera starts off by focusing on Carrie on the dance floor. Next, the camera pans above the stage where you see the bucket of pig blood tied to a rope sitting on the rafters. Finally, the camera follows the rope to underneath the stage where John Travolta and his girlfriend plan to make Carrie's life a miserable disaster. It is an effective technique which implants suspense upon the audience. This same technique is applied in De Palma's Scarface during the chainsaw scene.
• Lights and Sounds: When Carrie is announced prom queen, she is lit up like an angel. However her brilliant radiance is shadowed when the bucket of blood spills all over her body. She immediately becomes a frightening devil with a background drowned with orange and red. To add even more effect to the visual contrast, De Palma makes the sound an awesome compliment. Before everything goes to hell, Carrie is walking on Cloud Nine with only sounds of cheering and music in the background. However, a drastic turn is experienced as only the sound of laughing can be heard as Carrie is covered in blood and humiliation.
• Split Screen: In comic book style, De Palma uses a split screen to show Carrie wreaking havoc across the school gymnasium. As we watch Carrie's emotion as she is unleashing her power of telekinesis, we see her get her revenge as the students and staff are being murdered in the school gymnasium. Watch Jackie Brown as you will see Tarantino use this same effect between Pam Grier and Samuel L. Jackson.

Overall, this is a powerful horror movie. Yes, it is horrific because it teases you with naked school girls in the gym locker room followed by a menstruating Sissy Spacek. However, it is the performances that create the horror. Sissy Spacek effortlessly switches from a loser schoolgirl into a horrendous bulley of death. And Piper Laurie's presence is truly uncomfortable as you scoff at her ideals as a religious nut, yet you are genuinely terrified how she will interact with Carrie.

So on Death List Five, Carrie ranks #4.

Top Five Countdown - Best Jackass 3D Stunts

In most cases, the sight of feces, puke, and guys running around in whitey tighties make me look away in utter disgust. But the minute you mention Johnny Knocksville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, and Wee-Man, you've got me entranced!


In Jackass 3D, the glasses are pretty much useless. However, its stunts don't need any extra special effects to make them mind-blowing. Since this film features so many insane feats, I'm making this Movie Review a Top Five Countdown, listing my favorite exploits:

5. Jet Airplane: Try standing your ground behind a jet engine, much less peeing against it. The power of an engine turbine is extremely dangerous and these guys play in its current fearlessly.
4. Beehive Tetherball: At least a bear has fur when playing with bees...
3. Midgets in a Bar Fight: Imagine sitting down, enjoying a beer, and a bar fight of midgets erupts! Either you just witnessed the greatest sight ever or you're absolutely drunk.
2. Super Might Glue: This would have been my Number 1 if they got the stun gun to influence Wee-Man to separate from Preston!
1. The Ram Jam: For whatever reason, this stunt made me crack up the most! Steve-O got away, but the other guy had no chance against the ram's charge of fury.

The return of the "old man" acts are still amusing, but they're not as hilarious as in previous movies. It's ironic as you can tell the cast is getting older and they can't "perform" as they use to after years of their bodies taking a beating. However, Johnny and crew still have spirit and put on an entertaining show that reminds me of my teenage years (Even Tarantino puts Jackass 3D in his Top 20 movies of 2010).

So on Death List Five, Jackass 3D ranks #3.

Oldboy - Be Careful of What You Say

I've been wanting to see Oldboy for quite a while, but it's hard to press play when you expect a revenge film along the lines of Hostel or I Spit On Your Grave. On occasion, I do enjoy those type of films, but I have to be in the right mood. However, I was pleasantly surprised when this movie was much more. Sure, it has some pretty gruesome scenes, but Oldboy has a mystery that keeps you driving for answers.

The story follows Oh Dae-Su (played by Choi Min-sik), a man who has been imprisoned for 15 years. Although he receives food and water, he has no idea why he's being held captive or who's doing it. One day, after being awakened from a drug-induced state, Oh Dae-Su is no longer in confinement. With his release, he has no idea where to find his daughter and can't go home since he was blamed for his wife's murder. Luckily, a young sushi chef named Mi-do (played by Kang Hye-jeong) falls in love with him and provides shelter. Looking to get revenge, can Oh Dae-Su uncover who put him through 15 years of pain and suffering?

This movie is very intriguing, yet disturbing. Apparently, if you have money, you can imprison someone if you have a grudge against them. Although they provide food, cleaning services, and cable television, the real torture is having no idea why you are being locked away. I can understand paying this service if someone murdered your family in cold blood. However, in Oh Dae-Su's case, when he was in high school, he spread word about a guy named Lee Woo-jin who was banging his sister. This is a pretty mean thing to say about someone, but it was true. Even though Lee's sister ended up killing herself to avoid humiliation, did Oh really deserve the punishment for words he can barley remember saying? As unfair as it seems, if you only take one thing away from this film, remember, if you have nothing nice to say, it's better to say nothing at all.

One other disturbing factor is the amount of incest that occurs. I guess Oh could have kept his mouth shut, but Lee shouldn't have fooled around with his sister either. Not only did Lee sleep with her, but he took erotic pictures of her and even knocked her up. And to make the situation even more deranged, Lee got his revenge on Oh by masterminding a twisted plan of hypnosis so he would unknowingly fornicate with his daughter after being freed. Yes, creative, but very sick...

Like other revenge films, we hate to see the protagonist fall, but love to see them pick themselves back up. With Oh introduced as a pathetic drunk, we see his transformation from a feeble man into a force of havoc. Making the best of his suffering, Oh developed his fighting skills while watching television during imprisonment. Putting his prowess to good use, there is an awesome scene where Oh fights his way through hordes of gang members in scrolling-video-game-style.

Setting this film apart from other revenge flicks, Oh must fulfill his curiosity before getting even with Lee. Even though he encounters Lee early on in the film, Oh can't kill him right away because Lee won't reveal why he put him through years of suffering. However, this only makes the character development stronger as we witness Oh's endurance to pain and his fearless attitude.

Besides a few hokey CGI effects (like Oh hallucinating ants are crawling underneath his skin), this is a great film directed by Park Chan-wook. It has an appealing character and a captivating story. As the second installment to Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy, Oldboy was highly praised by Tarantino at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival (which is quite a compliment from the Kill Bill Master himself). Overall, I enjoyed this film a lot, but I don't recommend to anyone who only watches chick flicks.

So on Death List Five, Oldboy ranks #4.