Tag Archives: movies

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Amphibious (2010)

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Review by CJ

Amphibious

Director:
Brian Yuzna

Starring:
Janna Fassaert, Michael Paré, Monica Sayangbati

Other notable appearances:
Giant aquatic scorpion

Running time:
83 minutes

Watch this if you liked:
Anaconda, Jaws, Piranha

 

Two young brothers are sold into slavery aboard a fishing platform off the coast of Indonesia. When the oldest boy is killed by one of the slavers, the youngest child invokes Dukun (Indonesian shaman) magic to seek revenge in the form of a giant, man-eating scorpion. It’s up to a marine biologist and the crew she chartered to save the children on the fishing platform before they all become scorpion food.

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Avalanche Sharks (2013)

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Review by CJ

Avalanche Sharks

Director:
Scott Wheeler

Starring:
Alexander Mendeluk, Kate Nauta, Emily Addison

Other notable appearances:
SKOOKUM!

Running time:
82 minutes

Watch this if you liked:
Sharknado, Swamp Shark, Sharktopus, Shark Night, Bait, Ghost Shark

 

I hope I get this right, because I’m not entirely sure I know what was happening. It’s spring break at Mammoth Mountain and two snowboarders go missing. In Jaws style the authorities refuse to close the mountain despite skiers and snowboarders dropping like flies to the Skookums (Native American sharks possibly from outer space who swim through snow). It’s up to US Marine Wade, the mountain Sheriff and their girlfriends to stop the Skookums before it’s too late.

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Grave Encounters (2011)

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Review by CJ

Grave Encounters

Director:
The Vicious Brothers

Starring:
Sean Rogerson, Ashleigh Gryzko, Mackenzie Gray, Merwin Mondesir, Juan Riedinger

Other notable appearances:
Ben Wilkinson

Running time:
92 minutes

Watch this if you liked:
Paranormal Activity, Blair Witch Project, Chronicle

 

The Grave Encounters team are paranormal investigators who are filming the sixth episode of their television program at the defunct Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital. The crew go in with questions and are met with answers that will challenge their survival.

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Frozen (2010)

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Review by CJ

Frozen (2010)

Director:
Adam Green

Starring:
Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell, Kevin Zegers

Other notable appearances:
Snow, ice, a chair lift and Kane Hodder

Running time:
93 minutes

Watch this if you like:
Movies that feel like they will never end

 

Three skier/snowboarders head up a chair lift for one last run down the mountain. The chair lift attendant switches places with another and due to a misunderstanding the three friends become stranded halfway up the mountain. With five days until the slopes reopen, the friends must decide how to make their way down before they freeze to death.

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Dear Dracula (2012)

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Review by CJ

Dear Dracula

Director:
Chad Van De Keere

Starring:
Nathan Gamble, Ray Liotta, Emilio Estevez, Ariel Winter

Other notable appearances:
Matthew Lillard, Marion Ross, Tara Strong, Yuri Lowenthal

Running time:
42 minutes

Watch this if you liked:
Hotel Transylvania, ParaNorman, Monster House, Frankenweenie

 

Sam (Gamble) is a classic horror movie aficionado who lives with his grandmother (Ross). When Sam begs for the latest Dracula action figure, his grandmother suggests that he writes to Santa and asks for the ‘doll’. However, with Halloween significantly closer than Christmas, Sam decides it would be a far better idea to write to Dracula instead. This leads to a washed-up Dracula (Liotta) deciding to pay young Sam a visit with his minion Myro (Estevez).

I watched Dear Dracula on a whim because it was free, available and looked like fun. I have never been more happy to judge a book (movie) by its cover (promotional image).

At only 42 minutes, Dear Dracula is a movie that is shorter than most television shows I watch. However, in doing so the creators have ensured it isn’t stretching for material that isn’t there. For the story that is told, the length is perfect and adding to it would only diminish the quality.

The story is endearing as Sam helps Dracula get his scare factor back and Dracula helps Sam get the girl. Dear Dracula also has some very funny moments, including Dracula explaining why vampires who sparkle are not okay.

The animation leaves a bit to be desired at times but overall the aesthetic is good, especially for an animation studio that isn’t Disney, Pixar or DreamWorks.

Overall, with its fun story, amusing characters and subtle undermining of the less than horrific horror/monster films, I would highly recommend Dear Dracula for kids both young and old.

Rating: 4/5