Creep (2004)

3.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: Your journey terminates here.
Directed by: Christopher Smith
Written by: Christopher Smith
Actors include: Franka Potente, Sean Harris, Vas Blackwood
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 85 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I had no idea going into this film that it was basically a remake of Death Line [Raw Meat] complete with shots of Franka Potente running (ala Lola rennt [Run Lola Run]). Even so it was pretty amusing, especially the way they set the situation up. Kate (Franka Potente) is on her way home from a party when she falls asleep in the subway waiting for a train. She wakes up only to find herself locked in and under attack by a creepy co-worker and of course she seems to make the wrong choice with every turn. While trying to find a place to escape she ends up in the underground with the Homeless people. However in her attempt to escape she finds something far more sinister down below. So it does have some carnage in it, though it's mainly one of those building tension escape type scenarios which is just fine with me. It is relatively well made and the cast make it a little more appealing then it could have been with unknowns. Thanks to horror fiends Axemaster and Happywax for this recommend, definitely a fun little horror flick for most.

Availability:  On DVD

Horror Express (1972)

4 / 5 Apr '10
Tagline: Can it be stopped?
Directed by: Eugenio Martin
Written by: Arnaud d'Usseau, Julian Zimet
Actors include: Christopher Lee, Telly Savalis, Peter Cushing
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although I enjoyed the story and the actors and everything I think the cheapness with which this was made hindered the film unfortunately. That being said it's probably Eugenio Martín's most accomplished film but I've enjoyed most I've seen from him. Anyhow this one borrows heavily from The Thing From Another World [The Thing] along with several others but I thought it was quite fun anyhow. A Professor (Christopher Lee) finds some bones that he thinks may be the missing link, so he transports them on the Siberian Express. While on the train he meets his acquaintance Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing) who is very interested in the Professor's specimen. On the way the monster thaws out and starts attacking the passengers and it even takes on their memories! It's pretty thrilling in many ways actually and Lee & Cushing are a treat to watch as always. It's not the most original idea surely, but I thought it was a really entertaining film none the less, definitely worth giving a try to.

Availability:  On DVD

King Kong (1933)

4.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today!
Directed by: N/A
Written by: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Actors Include: Robert Armstrong, Fay Wray, John Cabot
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Wow this is one exquisitely filmed picture, it's downright shocking that they were able to accomplish so very much in 1933! The story is about some movie makers who are filming a picture on Skull Island, he's got most things in place, he's only missing a leading lady. Enter Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) a lovely but down on her luck young Lady who is eager to join the crew. When they get to this mysterious island things aren't quite what they expected. The locals seem to worship a giant gorilla named Kong, and they want to serve up Ann to him as a sacrifice. They give her to Kong, and that is where the film really takes off. See one of the film crew wants to capture the ape to bring it home for an attraction, and of course save the girl. The last half hour is pretty much amazing, the shots of New York are stunning and the effects are quite something. The scenes were Kong has gone nuts are my favorites but pretty much the entire thing is a spectacle. I can't believe it took me so long to watch this, this is something you just have to see no matter what sort of films you enjoy.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray