Rewind This (2013)

 'Rewind This' is a documentary charting the rise of home video from the late 70s, and the eventual dominance of Sony's VHS for the next 15 years.

Every aspect of this 'golden era' is covered and I was filled with nostalgia over so many of the various interviews with directors, distributors and of course, collectors. Frank Hennenlotter is great fun as he tells tales of how "Basket Case" became a massive success on the small screen ("It paid for this apartment!"), movie geeks (me) discuss travelling miles trawling shops for hard to find releases (usually B movie horror), how they categorise their collection (got to be alphabetical).
The decision by a distributor to sell movies at an 'affordable' price to the public, and the massive success that entailed for company's such as Troma with cult classics such as 'The Toxic Avenger' and the general public with the advent of the workout video.

Intelligent, heart warming stuff, this struck a cord with me from my days in the 80's and early 90's collecting VHS, trading dodgy copies of uncut versions of 'Nekromantik', 'Cannibal Holocaust' etc, and again, scouring rental stores looking for an original copy of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'.

Highly recommended for movie fans, geeks and nerds (me, me and yes, me)

4/5

The Long Walk (2025)

 The Long Walk is brutal, brilliantly acted and disturbing timely into todays modern era. Cooper Hoffman and David Johnson shine in a fascist America where death is televised for entertainment (how long before that becomes the next reality show?) Mark Hamill is almost unrecognizable as the sadistic 'General', the ending is nihilistic, and with Trump as President it's dystopia feels seems eerily plausible, an unflinching look at a Nation entertained by cruelty to ease the control and suffering it is experiencing.

4.5/5

Going To Pieces (2006)

 As the title suggests this is a documentary chronicling the rise of the so called slasher movie in the 1980's with such films as "Friday 13th", "Halloween", "Prom Night" and the "Nightmare on Elm Street" right up to the "Scream" series of the mid 90's.

The film contains some great slasher moments (Jason's 'death' etc) but the highlight is the vast array of interviews with big names from the genre, there's the usual big guns such as Wes Craven and John Carpenter, the genius that is Tom Savini, but you also get loads of lesser known names thrown in the mix with plenty of interesting anecdotes such as Paul Lynch ("Prom Night") and Fred Walton ("When a Stranger Calls", "April Fool's Day").

If you're a fan of the genre, which I am, then you'll love this highly enjoyable documentary.

4.5/5

Rapture Palooza (2013)

 

It's the end of the world as we know it, and unless you are a believer (in which case you'll be beamed up to heaven) you'll be left to fend on a, literally, God forsaken Earth With Crows mocking you, evil crickets trying to bite you, oh and the bigger problem  mollten bal
ls of fire spewing onto Earth randomly.

Totally bonkers, and out to offend just about everyone, think Kevin Smith's 'Dogma' cranked to the max, but most importantly, it's funny, very funny. Star of the show is Craig Robinson (US 'The Office') as the anti-Christ, his banter with his "future Bride" Lindsay (Anna Kendrick) is crude but grossly amusing, and how often in a movie will you see God and Satan having a fight in a Jacuzzi?

4/5

Turistas aka Paradise Lost (2006)

 'Paradise Lost' starts off looking like a promising little horror movie.A group of back packers are stranded in Brazil after their bus crashes, they think they've hit the jackpot when they hook up with some locals in a secluded beauty spot, beach, beer and babes, what could go wrong?

Soon though the film descends into a world of 21st Century horror clichés, evil locals, semi naked women, lots of screaming, running and one hell of a lot of swimming!

It transpires that an evil local doctor wants their organs to sell to the rich, the film includes a scene you won't forget in a hurry when a naked girl has her kidney removed, a scene so gory it brought back memory's of the 1980's video nasties!!!
Sadly though there's very little here on offer to recommend this film, we seen it all before in the 'Hostel' and 'Saw' series.

4/5

100 Bloody Acres (2012)

 

Three travellers break down in the remote Australian outback, they are begrudgingly rescued by Reg, trouble is he's in business with his psychotic brother Lindsay (the brilliant Angus Sampson) and their business is blood and bone fertiliser...and it doesn't go "Moo!"

"We're not psycho's all right! We're smart business operators!"

Wonderfully wacky likable characters, star of the show has to be older brother and dominating boss Lindsay, but he's backed up by Damon Herriman as Reg, and the three back packers, what a pleasant change to have three characters that aren't obnoxious. Packed with witty lines ("I don't know why I keep saying DO!", a spaced out LSD trip, granny sex (" I popped in for a few pumpkins"), a goofy gory plot and a red head (Anna McGahan) with a fine rack!

Similar to Tucker And Dale vrs Evil" and just as much fun, bloody good entertainment clobber!!

4/5

Teeth (2007)

 'Teeth' is the "every day" tale of Dawn, a High School student suppressing her sexual desires, only to discover that she has, a,umm toothed vagina!!

Rape, incest, sexual abuse and masturbation are the movies main subjects, so you'd expect some kind repellent twisted grim horror flick, well twisted yes, but the movie has a wonderful black horror humour running through it's veins, wholly original, and pretty clever, and sure to be a bit of an underground cult horror classic with plenty of bite!

4/5

1408 (2007)

 A writer famous for debunking 'haunted house' stories,  stays a night at The Dolphin Hotel in the infamous room 1408, the owner begs him not too, previous guests have taken their lives to 'escape' the horrors it apparently hides.
A superb psychological, claustrophobic horror, adapted from a short story by Stephen King and very similar in tone to the masterful 'The Shining'.The film relies on genuine scares and not buckets of blood or dopey American teens running away from rednecks, and is one of the finest mature horror films of recent years.

4.5./10

Living With Chucky (2022)

 

"Living with Chucky"is a heartfelt tribute to the Child’s Play franchise, revealing the deep affection cast and crew hold for the killer doll saga. Through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, it celebrates the series’ perfect blend of horror and dark comedy. The documentary’s warmth and nostalgia make it a must-watch for fans of Chucky’s twisted charm and such an enjoyable film franchise.

4/5

Dangerous Animals (2025)

 

This is one gritty, tension-packed horror gem that gleefully blends black humour with brutal violence. Trapped in a mansion and forced to play a deadly game, the characters unravel in ways both disturbing and darkly hilarious. The film’s claustrophobic setting and relentless pacing make it perfect for a summer cinema trip—best experienced with surround sound and a cold one It’s not just another slasher; it’s a twisted psychological ride that earns its place among 2025’s standout horror releases. 

If you like your scares served with sarcasm and blood, and of course Shark's (who doesn't love old snappy chops) this one’s a must-watch on the big screen!

        4.5/5 

Suitable Flesh (2023)

 

“Suitable Flesh” is a deliriously twisted descent into Lovecraftian madness, blending erotic horror with body-swapping chaos. Director Joe Lynch channels the spirit of Stuart Gordon, crafting a pulpy, gore-soaked thriller that’s as campy as it is unsettling. The film’s major asset is its cast: Heather Graham delivers a gleefully unhinged performance, especially when possessed by a hedonistic demon, while horror legend Barbara Crampton adds gravitas and genre pedigree.  It’s a wild, sexy, and blood-splattered ride that horror fans won’t want to miss, and a bloody good laugh.

4/5

Killer Holiday (2013)

 

Halloween's around the corner so let's dip my toe and see  what this has to offer, not much it must be said. Well the well worn clichés pile up early on, obnoxious teens (sluts, nerd, jocks, the joker, token black guy) go on a road trip and end up of the beaten track (Redneck-"If I was you I'd get off this road!") and hunted down by a psycho in a disused Funhouse (reminds me of that 80's horror flick, what was that again, oh yeah "Funhouse"!!

On the plus side the movie does have a 'polished' look, well filmed and edited, but anyone who's seen a Rob Zombie movie will know, you can't polish a turd. The dialogue for a movie of this ilk is yet again quite appalling;

"Guys?...guys....guys...look....guys?.....guys.....guys?...look....guys...GUYS!......guys?.....look.."
(true sample)

The gore when eventually surfaces is cheap, mediocre and laughable, the whole movie another poor 21st Century horror flick to add the cliche list.

1/5

Insidious Chapter 2 (2013)

 

quiet..quiet...LOUD!!...quiet...quiet....SHREEK!!

 

Yes Director James Wan(k) is back with his idea of a horror film, 'Insidious' was descent enough, but spoiled by a final third, but his last effort, this years over-rated 'The Conjuring' though falls into the same bracket as this shambles. The mans idea of tension and scares is for 90 minutes of creeping around in silence then a sudden blast of shrieking music, repeat ad-nauseum.

 The plot is nothing new ('Psycho' rip off) the characters soulless, it's never scary, just a pathetic parade of horror clichés with not a single original idea in the whole sorry mess.

1/5

 

Sharknado (2013)

 

Where do you begin with a  low budget film commissioned by the Sci Fi channel, starring Tara Reid about a storm whipping up a shower of sharks (literally) upon the residents of Los Angeles?

"What the hell, there's Sharks in the street!"

Well it does what is says on the tin. The special effects are uniformly awful, the rubber sharks acting though is a good few notch's above the rubber cast, Ian Ziering  John Heard must have taken lessons from Pinocchio, whilst Tara Reid just ambles around looking either sedated or stoned the entire time.
Even worse than the 'acting' and flying rubber sharks is the dreadful dialogue;

"Right everybody. I'm closing the Restaurant, the storms coming, and it's coming fast!"
"What's going on?"

Painfully bad, but also sadly for a movie about flying man eating sharks, it lack bite.

"I just can't sit back and watch this!!"
I know the feeling mate.

2/5

28 Years Later (2025)

 

28 Years Later is a staggering letdown compared to the raw brilliance of 28 Days Later and the visceral chaos of 28 Weeks Later. Where its predecessors pulsed with urgency and dread, this third installment drags through a sluggish, bloated narrative that feels more like a metaphor seminar than a horror film. The pacing is glacial, the tension diluted, and the once-terrifying infected reduced to background noise. Even the cult subplot, meant to shock, lands with a thud, it’s a film that forgets its own legacy—one of the most disappointing sequels in recent memory

1/5

Final Destination:Bloodlines (2025)

 

Final Destination: Bloodlines is a wickedly fun return to form, blending razor-sharp humor with nail-biting suspense. The opening sequence—a sky-high restaurant disaster—is pure cinematic anxiety, setting the tone for a relentless ride. Characters like Erik and Bobby are surprisingly engaging, their banter adding levity between the dread. The kill scenes are masterclasses in tension, escalating with Rube Goldberg precision until the inevitable, gruesome payoff. Directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein embrace the franchise’s twisted charm, making this entry both hilarious and horrifying.

2025 is proving to be a fine year in horror, with this "Weapons", "Bring Her Back", "Dangerous Games", "Clown In A Cornfield", "Prescence" and "Companion" all being A+ in my book.

4.5/5

Together (2025)

 

Together (2025) is a grotesque triumph of body horror, echoing the visceral madness of The Substance while carving its own repulsive path. Alison Brie and Dave Franco’s descent into co-dependent mutation is both hilarious and horrifying. Director Michael Shanks weaponizes intimacy, turning flesh into a prison of love and loathing. It’s stomach-churning, darkly funny, and emotionally raw—easily one of the standout films of the year. 

4.5/5

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)

 

To be honest I was never a fan of the original, too weak ass, lacking gore, typical American teen Scooby Doo horror, I can't remember if I even bothered with the pointless sequel, and this remake is just as lame. Little gore, the usual obnoxious yanks bickering, a who done it which is more of a fucking who cares, get rid!

2/5

All Cheerleaders Die (2014)

 I wasn't expecting much really, some gore and maybe a little T&A for a Saturday evening, and things don't start of too good. Utterly obnoxious jocks (you'd want to round them up in a bus, drive them to a remote field and machine gun the lot) and a bunch of equally hideous (though easy on the eye) cheerleaders.

Thankfully though the movie takes a nice evil twist, Cheerleaders get killed in a car crash, get brought back as (sexy) Zombies (Woof!) by some supernatural witchcraft type stuff and extract revenge. A good humored body horror/slasher/zombie movie that delivers the bloody goods with a cool (we want a sequel) finale, good gory fun!

4/5

Weapons (2025)

 

Zach Cregger’s Weapons is a masterclass in slow-burn horror, unraveling its eerie mystery through a clever, chaptered structure that gradually introduces a cast of deeply human characters. Set in the deceptively normal town of Maybrook, the film builds unease with surgical precision before erupting into a blood-soaked, chaotic finale that’s as shocking as it is cathartic. Performances from Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Alden Ehrenreich are uniformly excellent, grounding the surreal horror in emotional truth. With its inventive storytelling and visceral payoff, Weapons isn’t just the best horror film of the year—it’s arguably the movie of 2025.

5/5

Before Dawn (2012)

 A couple go on a break in the Country, hoping to repair their failing marriage unaware of the events on the outside world....

Comparisons will be made to the "28 Days Later" movies, and yes, they both involve Zombies, high speed video effects and lots of gore, but don't be fooled, this is much more about a couple trying to repair the damage to a marriage caused by the Husbands infidelity, it's a slow burner, subdued horror flick, gory, yes but far more reserved  than an all out Zombie action film that the poster might suggest.

3/5

Would You Rather (2012)

 Iris (Britanny Snow) is struggling with money whilst caring for her terminally ill brother, she is invited to a dinner by an aristocrat, one he says that could change her life, and her brothers for ever, she attends along with seven other strangers, and soon they realise they are trapped in a sadistic game....

An entertaining slice of shlock torture porn in the style of the 'Saw' and 'Hostile' movies, 'Would You Rather' is deeply sadistic, with an at times shocking black sense of humour, 80's horror legend Jeffery Coomes ('From Beyond', 'Re-Animator, 'The Frighteners') ) as host Shepard Lambrick is in top form hamming it up and over acting a with a straight face, and the film hits you with a suitably mean spirited, if slightly obvious' punch in the guts ending.

3.5/5

Rampage 2:Capital Punishment (2014)

 Director Uwe Boll's 2009 'Rampage' was a 'classic' (I use the word loosely) slice of trash violence, a normal gut decks himself in bullet proof Kevlar and goes on a killing spree, kinda like when you get all the weapons cheats on 'Grand Theft Auto' and see how long you can last before the Cops gun you down, well Boll's back with his bullets and blood for more!

You don't really have to have seen the original flick as there are so many (annoying) flashbacks to remind us that Brendan Fletcher (Bill Williamson) is slightly annoyed with society. Having already killed 100+ civilians and alluded the authorities he's back, this time taking over a TV news station so he can broadcast his message against the Capitalist state, though one of his qualms is gun control in the US, stop blowing so many people away Billy boy, you're not helping those already high death statistics!

Almost as mental as the first movie it doesn't quite hit it predecessor's high's (or should that be lows), but this is still good violent madness for a late night (guilty) viewing pleasure.

3.5/5

Alien Abduction (2014)

 

 

A Family vacationing in North Carolina become lost, their Sat-Nav cuts out, loses its signal, soon though things take a terrifying turn when they encounter......ALIENS!

 

It all starts off quite promising, saving on expensive effects the 'shaky cam' home footage option works well early on giving a gritty realistic feel to the creepy events unraveling. Soon though this gives way to lots of running around in the dark for some considerable time punctuated by the occasional loud blast of noise and flash of light from the heavens with plenty of sniveling from the cast, which soon becomes quite tiresome.

 

Plenty of X-Files silliness and a pretty "Is that it?" ending, this straight to 'video on demand' will be ending up straight in a charity shop for a Wine coaster.

2/5

Wolf Creek 2 (2013)

 

Everyone's 'favourite' Aussie psycho Mick Taylor is back, yeah not quite Jason or Freddy, but he's up to his old tricks in the Aussie outback. This time he's picking on some poor unfortunate German and Brit back packers, hatchet and shot gun ready, before you can say "strewth Sheila!" he's performed a decapitation on one unfortunate fellow and blown a poor Coppers head clean off, Mick don't take no prisoners!!

There's nothing new we haven't seen in the original movie from nearly 10 years ago, but this is good decent stalk and slash horror, as our grinning maniac, you could call "Crocodile Cadaver" or (Bad) "Mad Max with a machete", dispenses fingers and thumbs whilst swigging some nasty Oz lager.

Bloody and brutal late night slash-tastic fun with a "Texas Chainsaw" finale paving way for a possible second sequel.

4/5