Blu Release – 3.5/5
The Purge
Director – James DeMonaco (The Purge: Anarchy, The Purge: Election Year)
Starring – Ethan Hawke (Daybreakers, Sinister), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones, Dredd), and Max Burkholder (Babysitter, Children of the Corn)
Release Date – 2013
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “Survive the night”
You wouldn’t know it but I review almost every horror movie I watch unless it’s a movie I’ve reviewed before. The revisit reviews are for movies I reviewed before and they recently received a remastered re-release. I have the urge to review a movie I’ve watched even if I watch a horror movie just for fun. Several years back I watched The Purge as I approached Halloween.
For some reason I did not review it then when first saw. Which, if I would have then, it would have received a higher score. A few days back I was sent over the Blumhouse Horror blu set to review and the first film in the set is the 2013 flick that started it all, The Purge.
**Spoiler Alert** The film takes place during a time when America has an annual purge which is 12 hours where crime is legal including murder. Many families have paid a large sum to have their home retrofitted with a system that will protect them during the purge. One of the salesmen has made a fortune from selling these systems to their neighbors which has caused some jealously among them. When the purge commences he finds his children becoming rebellious and not listening to his warnings. This opens them up to a night of havoc as their neighbors, a group of spoiled youths, and a blood-thirsty teenager turns their quiet evening into a night of mayhem. **Spoiler Alert**
The first Purge film did great things. It kickstarted a modern horror franchise that inspired several sequels, a prequel, and even a television series. Also, it questionably made genre fans start taking Blumhouse seriously. I was really impressed with The Purge upon my first viewing but after giving it a revisit I found myself enjoying it but not as much as I once did. The movie does bring about an interesting concept but it also brings about some rather goofy moments that doesn’t fit the overall tone of the film.
The acting in this one is uneven but some of the cast delivers some rather impressive moments. Hawke and Headey was a bit unimpressive believe it or not. Their characters were rather weak and they did not deliver a memorable performance. With that being said, several of the supporting cast delivered some rock solid performances and the characters they portrayed made the film.
The story for this one is an interesting one but it does offer up way too many “what if” scenarios than it could answer. With that being said, it’s enjoyable for a bigger budget pop corn horror flick. Those looking for a bit of mindless fun will really enjoy it but if you are the kind of person that overthinks everything you will find yourself being disappointed.
Finally, the film has some blood. The kills are mostly gunshots and the like but the blood looks great and the gags are damn near flawless. Overall, The Purge is a solid flick but is far from perfect. If you are looking for something with a moderate budget and a nice polish you will enjoy this one.
Ouija
Director – Stiles White
Starring – Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One, Bates Motel), Ana Coto (Can’t Take It Back, Disconnected), and Daren Kagasoff (The Secret Life of an American Teenager, Stalker)
Release Date – 2014
2/5
Tagline – “Keep telling yourself it’s just a game”
The Purge was a solid kick off to the Blumhouse Horrors 10 film blu set. It’s not the best movie but it is a fun watch to begin the month of October. I don’t see myself revisiting it anytime soon but it does set the mood for the month. After watching it I went ahead and quickly tossed in the second film in the set which is the 2014 supernatural horror flick Ouija. This film spawned several sequels, prequels, and copy cats over the years but it was one I had never seen until now.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a group of friends who recently lost a close friend. She killed herself a few days after playing with an old Ouija board. They suspect something more sinister is at play so they break out the same Ouija board that she used to see if they could find some answers. **Spoiler Alert**
I went into this one pretty excited to see the film that started a pretty popular trend in horror. Sadly, the movie was not what I was expecting and became one I wished I would have skipped. The movie had a painfully dull story, very bland performances, and the atmosphere was lacking. The movie just wasn’t for me.
The acting in this one is very lackluster. The characters are very cliched and unoriginal. If you’ve seen a paranormal film from the last 20 years then you’ve seen these same characters. No redeeming personalities and no performances to hold your attention can be found here. The story for this one is interesting on paper. People have an unnatural fear of the Ouija board so having a horror film set around it only made sense. However, the entire film focused on the board and not enough around an actual set up. The movie itself feels almost rushed and many of the scenes could be cut with no effect on the story.
Finally, the film is not a bloody one. We get some visual effects that are solid but if you want some blood and gore you will be very disappointed. Overall, Ouija is a pop horror flick for the pre-teens. Honestly, with some editing, I could see it playing on Disney during October, I do know that it will NOT be playing in my house again. Skip it.
The Boy Next Door
Director – Rob Cohen (The Skulls, Dragonheart)
Starring – Jennifer Lopez (The Cell, Anaconda), Ryan Guzman (Pretty Little Liars, Heroes Reborn), and Ian Nelson (The Hunger Games, Teen Wolf)
Release Date – 2015
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “A moment she couldn’t resist. An obsession he can’t control”
When I received this Blumhouse horror set there was several releases in it that I had wanted to check out for sometime. Movies like The Visit and Get Out to be more specific. However, one film that I was really not looking forward to checking out was the 2015 horror thriller The Boy Next Door.
I remember seeing trailers for this one back when it was released and thought that it looked like something Lifetime or Hallmark would air during Halloween. However, this one really surprised me. I really enjoyed it for what it is but I don’t see myself going out of the way to watch it again.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows recently separated Claire Peterson (Lopez) who is a school teacher. She lives with her son and meets her elderly neighbor’s nephew Noah (Guzman) just days before classes start. One night after a botched date she starts drinking when he calls her needing help with dinner. She goes over to help and soon the two hook up. She freaks out when she awakens and he tries to calm her down. Seeing that it’s not working he stops and she leaves. He tries to keep it going but she tries to remain professional and realistic while explaining to him it was a mistake. This pushes him over and he starts sabatoging her work and home life. When she refuses to break he goes deeper into his obsession resulting in deadly consequences. **Spoiler Alert**
I was not expecting The Boy Next Door to pull me in like it did but I found myself getting sucked into the story and when it was over and done with I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it. It’s not a movie I would go out of my way to watch again but if I was channel surfing and caught it on I would check it out again.
The acting in this one works for the film but there is several inconsistencies from most of the cast. Lopez delivers a fantastic performance during the last half of the film but the first half she is very underwhelming. The same can be said for the supporting cast. Everyone brings it in the last half of the film but the slow paced scenes and unenthused performances in the first half makes it a little difficult to stick with.
The story for this one is something you could find on a Lifetime movie from the 90s. A teacher getting in over her head and the student becoming obsessive isn’t very horror filled but can be a fun day time dark thriller. However, the last 20 minutes of the movie is really heart-pounding and action packed. Horror related but not enough to really call the film a horror flick.
Finally, if you want blood and gore you will not find it here. The film is more story and character driven instead of on the red stuff. Overall, The Boy Next Door is a surprisingly fun thriller that works. I know a lot of you horror minded readers will skip this one but you really should check it out. It was well worth the time.
Unfriended
Director – Levan Gabriadze (Rezo, Yolki 2)
Starring – Heather Sossaman (NCIS, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Matthew Bohrer (Lucifer, Hipster Holocaust), and Courtney Halverson (True Detective, Ghost Whisperer)
Release Date – 2014
Rating – 1/5
Tagline – “This April, revenge comes online”
When I was sent the press release for this set I was curious about checking out a few of the films listed. There was only one film I wasn’t looking forward to checking out but the others were movies I had been curious about for some time. One of those movies was the 2014 new age found footage flick Unfriended.
The movie spawned a sequel and several more copy cat films trying to appeal to the young movie goers. It looked goofy but I was excited to check it out. Sadly, it was even goofier than I originally thought and one of the worst movies I had seen in a long time.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a group of high schoolers one year after one of their own killed herself after an embarrassing video went live. Now, on the anniversary of her suicide someone has joined in on their group video call under her name. One by one they are taken out of the call and eventually die. **Spoiler Alert**
I was a little curious about this one but after actually seeing it now I have to say that it is one of the worst movie experiences I’ve sit through for sometime now. The movie was cheap, lazy, and lacked almost every aspect that I hold dear about the horror genre. I would be open to the sequel to this one but if I was ever tasked with watching this movie again or kicking my favorite child you better believe I’m punting my 2 year old across the living room.
The acting in this one is like nails on a chalk board. Watching a group of teenagers try to impress each other on a video call is cringy to say the least but then watching those same teenagers try to act scared on a video call was extremely goofy. The found footage inspired approach really made me want to turn it off in terms of the acting. It was very unnatural. The story for this one is super simple but the lack of content with this super simple story made it a pain to finish. Watching people panic on webcam was a horrible experience. Honestly, I liked what the story wanted to do but the execution was all wrong.
Finally, the film’s only redeemable moments is the death scenes. They were unintentionally funny but they did entertain. The deaths are rather quick but I liked the way they looked. Overall, Unfriended is a huge waste of time and I would almost bet that it’s the low point of this set. Skip it.
The Visit
Director – M. Night Shyamalan (Split, Glass)
Starring – Olivia DeJonge (Better Watch Out, The Sisterhood of Night), Ed Oxenbould (Better Watch Out, Paper Planes), and Deanna Dunagan (The Exorcist, Running Scared)
Release Date – 2015
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “No one loves you like your grandparents”
I never realized it until now but I guess I am a fan of controversial filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. I remember when I was younger and his films The Sixth Sense, The Village, and Signs was released. I was quick to grab all them for my collection but I never considered myself a fan. However, after finally watching his 2015 horror hit The Visit I finally realize that I do enjoy his body of work. I’m glad I finally took the time to check it out because I really enjoyed it.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows siblings Becca (DeJonge) and Tyler (Oxenbould) who travel to the country alone to spend time with their grandparents who they had never met. Their mother fell in love with a substitute teacher and left to be with him which caused some friction between her and her parents. Now, some years later, they want to finally see and meet their grandchildren. The trip starts out innocently enough but over time they realize that something is wrong with their grandparents. **Spoiler Alert**
The Visit was an entertaining film but there was some aspects that I could have lived without. The movie itself is one, like many of Shyamalan’s that I can see myself visiting several times over the next few years even though the twist has been revealed.
The acting in this one is not that impressive. In fact, I had a hard time like the cast and the characters. When their performances wasn’t dragging the scenes down you find yourself hating the characters because of their personalities. The rapping pre-teen was cringy and one of the worst parts of the movie. Why couldn’t he be a kid obsessed with mixed martial arts or Pokémon? Why did he need to be obnoxious and a rapper? I just felt like the characters were written to be annoying on purpose which only adds even more fuel to the unenthused acting.
The story for this one is fucking creepy as hell but leaves me with so many questions. The thought of kids going to spend the weekend with their grandparents only to have them replaced by insane mental patients is fucking terrifying for any parent. However, who sends their kids to their estranged grandparents that you haven’t seen in a decade alone? The story can be effective but it’s a double edged sword.
Finally, this is not a bloody horror film that most of us crave. The film is dependent on the atmosphere and story to get the horror across to the viewer. Overall, The Visit is not a genre defining film but it is a solid enough movie experience. I would recommend checking it out if you are looking for a popcorn horror flick.
Get Out
Director – Jordan Peele (Us)
Starring – Daniel Kaluuya (Black Panther, Kick-Ass 2), Allison Williams (The Mindy Project, The Simpsons), and Catherine Keener (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Bad Grandpa)
Release Date – 2017
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “Just because you’re invited, doesn’t mean you’re welcome”
Every year closes with one horror film becoming the most popular film for that year. A few years ago horror pages and movies collecting groups were going rabid over Jordan Peele’s directorial debut. Honestly, I was curious about the movie myself but I was unable to see it in theaters and before I knew it the movie had already received a physical release. I snagged a copy but I never found the time to watch it. That changed when I got in this Blumhouse set to review. I could finally see the film people had been raving about.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows young couple Chris (Kaluuya) and Rose (Williams) who is visiting Rose’s parents for the first time after becoming a couple. A simple weekend getaway takes a weird turn when Rose’s family begins acting strange along with the guests that are over for a social her parents are having. Soon Chris discovers their true intentions and why Rose invited him to her parent’s home. **Spoiler Alert**
I can see why so many people loved Get Out. It was a great horror film that combines social commentary with real horror. I liked it but it did take some time before the movie picked up and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to finish it. The second half made up for the extremely abysmal first half.
The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic. Kaluuya carries the movie and his character is very well written. His racial identity works very well for the story and Kaluuya gave the film his everything. With that being said, my favorite performance comes from Allison Williams. Her innocent persona was charming but once the film kicks into the horror portion she really shined. I was really impressed by how she switched it up. The supporting cast is great as well and deliver amazing performances.
The story for this one pretty sinister if you really think about it but it’s rather predictable. I really liked the social aspect in the film but you can see the twist coming. I liked it but there could have been a different approach to it to make the twist have more impact.
Finally, if you want some blood then you got it. It’s not a gory flick but the film still gives us some great scenes with blood and great practical effects. Overall, Get Out is a well put together horror thriller but I find it difficult to say it’s as amazing as others proclaim it to be. It’s still worth a watch and one of the better films in the this set.
Happy Death Day
Director – Christopher Landon (Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, Happy Death Day 2U)
Starring – Jessica Rothe (Valley Girl, Happy Death Day 2U), Israel Broussard (Feat the Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy), Ruby Modine (Satanic Panic, Shameless)
Release Date – 2017
Rating – 3.5/5
Tagline – “Get up. Live your day. Get killed. Again.”
As I patiently work my way through this Blumhouse box set I find myself reaching the film I was the most excited to see. In 2017 Blumhouse released the unusual slasher Happy Death Day. The trailer sold me on on it so I went to the theater that night to watch it…and then I turned around and went home because my kid was sick. I tried a few more times to check it out and something always popped up so I gave up on it.
When a physical release was announced I ignored the press announcement because I was still salty about not being able to see it in theaters. When I saw it was included in this set I decided to stop being a bitch a check it out.
**Spoiler Alert** The film film follows college student Tree (Rothe) who awakens in Carter’s (Broussard) dorm after a night of heavy drinking. She leaves his room and begins her day and that night she finds herself face to face with a masked killer. After she dies she awakens in Carter’s room destined to repeat her day. She frantically redoes her die only to have the same result. After several times she decides to find her killer and stop them before she suffers this continuous hell. **Spoiler Alert**
Happy Death Day had me on the fence until the 30 minute mark and then it really changed it up. Instead of becoming a repetitive piece of mindless dribble it becomes a movie that is self aware and entertaining.
The acting in this one is entertaining for the most part but far from perfect. The characters are hard to like at first but as the film progresses you start to like them more. The cast does a decent enough job with their roles which makes the story a lot easier to follow. The story for this one blends that Groundhog’s Day arch with the standard slasher formula following someone that was wronged who dons a mask and seeks revenge. When the film starts to become repetitive the story then adapts and changes it to give the viewer something new to grasp.
Finally, the film has several kills but they are rather unimpressive and unimaginative. All the originality went into the story rather than the death scenes. Overall, Happy Death Day may be a big budget pop horror flick but it’s a solid horror film that could easily become a franchise with so many possibilities. I highly suggest you check it out.
Truth or Dare
Director – Jeff Wadlow (Fantasy Island, Cry Wolf)
Starring – Lucy Hale (Scream 4, Riverdale), Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf, Yoga Hosers), and Violett Beane (The Flash, DC’s The Legend of Tomorrow)
Release Date – 2018
Rating – 2/5
Tagline – “They are dying to play”
As I approach the last two films in the set I’m reaching both of the films that I was the most excited to see. A few years back Truth or Dare hit theaters and the horror community was torn with it’s release. Some loved it while others absolutely hated it. I’m weird so when I hear people say they hate a movie I find myself wanting to see it more and more. I was gifted the blu a few months ago but never could find the time to watch it until now.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a group of college students who visit Mexico for Spring Break. There they meet a man who invited them to an old church to play truth or dare. They start the game and he reveals that he tricked them into playing so he wouldn’t have to. They pass it off as an evil prank and go on back to their business. A few days goes by and they return to campus and soon they start dying one by one until they finish the game. **Spoiler Alert**
I went into this one really excited to check it out. I know, as I’ve reviewed in the past, that Tim Ritter and others have made no budget horror flicks with the same name but I feel that this one did not steal their idea. They simply shared the title. However, Truth or Dare was a tough one to finish. It was slow paced, no character development, and the story was extremely dull. I really wanted to like it but I couldn’t.
The acting in this one is decent but the cast went a little overboard in some of the scenes. The screaming and frantic breathing was overkill which made the film feel extremely forced. The characters were cliched but they were very likable when the scenes wasn’t being overacted. The story for this one really held my interest. I liked the paranormal approach to this childish game but the movie moves painfully slow. The action and interesting story points were paced out.
Finally, the film has blood and some memorable deaths but lacks gore and practical effects. They rely on camera tricks and deaths that don’t require the need for practical effects to be pulled off. Overall, Truth or Dare is a decent flick to toss in late at night if you want something you’ve never seen before but the overacting and slow story makes it a struggle to finish.
Ma
Director – Tate Taylor (Filthy Rich, The Help)
Starring – Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures, The Help), Diana Silvers (Glass, Into the Dark), and Juliette Lewis (From Dusk Till Dawn, Natural Born Killers)
Release Date – 2019
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “Get home safe”
Here were are. It took me almost a week but I was able to dig through all ten of the films in the Blumhouse of Horrors bluray set and write full reviews for each film. It was time consuming and some of the movies were tough to sit through but I actually enjoyed myself. I saved the most anticipated film in the set for last. Last year saw the release of Ma starring Octavia Spencer. I really wanted to see it but with two toddlers and a 6 year old I found it extremely difficult to get to the movies. When the movie was released I snagged a copy but never got around to checking it out until now.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a group of high schoolers who convince Ma (Spencer) to buy them some liquor. After doing it a few times she convinces them to start partying at her home. A good thing turns suspicious when they start losing jewelry and passing out randomly. When they try to break it off with Ma things turn deadly. **Spoiler Alert**
This is the movie I was the most excited to see. It looked like a well acted and put together horror thriller that would be a lot of fun…and it was. The story is very predictable but that didn’t stop me from really enjoying it. Is it the best film in the set? Absolutely not but it was solid from start to finish which is all we can ask for!
The acting in this one is absolutely great. I’m not really a fan of Lewis and her character doesn’t feel genuine but the remainder of the cast did a fantastic job. Spencer is no short of brilliant. Her character gives chills and works perfectly for the film. Silvers and the rest of the cast is great as well. Their characters are rather cliched and generic but they do a great job at making them feel believable.
The story for this one is a solid thriller with several horror elements that works well but is rather predictable. In fact, the trailer gives most of the movie away but that doesn’t take the fun away from it. It still works and definitely entertains. Finally, the film does have some bloody moments. The practical effects all look great and there is a surprising amount of blood. I was really caught off guard by this and how most of the other films in this set lacked the blood. Overall, Ma may be boring for some but if you are looking for a well made thriller then this one is for you!
