RATINGS KEY 

 

The Descent: Part 2 (2010)

 

Did you like “The Descent”? Well then…you’ll love “The Descent: Part 2”. I honestly don’t know what else to say. There were times when I almost felt like I was watching the first film over again, but I honestly mean that in the most complimentary way possible. The events of this film begin pretty much where the first one left off, and before you know it…we’re back down in the caves! Honestly, that’s all I really wanted to see. This film took all the things that were great about the first, condensed them, added a little extra tension and a few new characters…and we got people getting chased by C.H.U.D.S. again! What can I say? I loved it! Plot be damned…those things are creepy. I don’t need a whole lot of backstory when you’ve got great monsters in a flick. In fact, as long as the director keeps to this same formula I’d even welcome a “Descent 3”. One of the better sequels in the horror genre, I’d say. It would also play seamlessly back-to-back with the first one, if you wanted to enjoy a few interesting little moments.

 

4 ½ SKULLS

 ½

 

The Final (2010)

 

This was a very uneven flick, but I found myself liking it quite a bit nonetheless. The film centers around a group of high school students who decide to fight back against the bullies in their school who are making their lives unbearable. That’s about it. It’s got a good deal of social commentary going on about ‘reaping what you sew’ and taking accountability for your actions, but there is also a heavy helping of screaming and blood involved during the second half. The acting went from pretty damn good to almost laughable at points, but this film ultimately entertained me and while I had no real characters that I cared about…it served its purpose as a violent little diversion. Gutsy at times, pointless at others, this film could have been a little smarter and paced out with a bit more thought. But, I’ll admit it was a grizzly little film with some interesting moments. “Saw” meets “Massacre at Central High” meets “Zero Day”.

 

4 SKULLS

 

 

 

The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelation (2009)

 

Right out of the gates, this one had all kinds of logic issues I couldn’t suspend reality long enough to wrap my head around. A stand-alone entry, as was the second sequel, I think this latest entry should probably be the proverbial nail-in-the-coffin for this series. I’d write a detailed description of this one, but…I’ve put in my time already watching this film to completion. I’d advise against this one, unless you’re just really into time travel films or you like cinematography that has a distinct Sy-Fy meets Lifetime Channel feel to it. Mindless stuff that made me feel a little dumber for watching it, but entertaining if you’ve got nothing else left on your Netflix queue.

 

2 SKULLS

 

 

 

Tony: London Serial Killer (2009)

 

I really wanted to like this film. But, I didn’t. I suppose some would think it’s because it’s a slow film. I can handle slow film and watch a good deal of films that take some time and patience to fully enjoy. I think maybe this just wasn’t a good film. It had quite a few things I liked about it, but if the musical score in a film about a serial killer is actually more interesting than the killer himself…that might be a problem. For lack of a better way to say this…it’s an art film, pretending to be a serial killer film, pretending to be an art film. Some could say that of films like “Man Bites Dog” or “Henry” Portrait of a Serial Killer” but this film shared none of the creativity of the first film, or the gritty sociopathic tendencies of the latter. It just…was. In fact, I’ll go on record as saying this is probably the most boring movie about a serial killer ever. So, take that for what it’s worth. Probably just for the serial killer movie completist.

 

1 SKULL

 

 

The Graves (2010)

 

It’s a shame to see talented actors in crappy movies. This is a really crappy movie. It also is a movie that somehow wrangled the talent of two actors I like quite a bit, Bill Mosley and Tony Todd. I like almost everything Bill is in, if not the movie itself, then his performance. He can play almost any kind of character, and is great at tackling complicated multi-faceted roles. Tony Todd is quite an accomplished actor as well, while I’ll probably always associate him with the main character in “Candyman”, he’s done a lot of other great work too. So, it’s beyond my comprehension why either actor would sign on to this project. That said, it’s about a couple of sisters that stumble upon some lost town where everyone wants to kill them or something. Oh…and there are demons. Unfortunately, almost anything that could be considered remotely interesting action-wise takes place off camera. I appreciate low-budget films and I understand costs and constraints while making a film. But, simply put…if you don’t have the money to make a real film…don’t make a film at all. One of the worst movies I’ve seen in quite awhile.

 

NO SKULLS