Change Your Image
ladymidath
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Viy (1967)
Atmospheric Russian Folktale Horror
I am giving this a couple of extra stars simply for doing such a great effects job on what would not have been a very big budget.
You can see the imagination and effort that went into this. The story is a simple one, a young seminary student encounters an old woman who as it turns out, is a witch. He beats her with a stick and as she dies she reverts into a pretty young woman. The young man is summed by her father to sit vigil over three nights for her and that is where the movie really ramps up.
The scenes in the church are really well done and entertaining. The creatures are quite scary and the acting is actually good for the kind of film it is.
Is it a perfect movie? It does have its issues. The start is a little slow and it ends rather abruptly with the scene switching to a couple of workers rather than the aftermath of the events in the church.
But this is the little movie that could, the settings are creepy and atmospheric with a building sense of dread. But there is quite a bit of humour in there as well/
This is a rare classic that really does deserve to be seen.
The Mean One (2022)
A Bloody Good Time
I have watched both Pooh Blood And Honey and The Banana Splits horror movies and I am amazed that I did not know that The Mean One even existed.
This is a fun movie for people who loves these kinds of movies. The acting is good which is nice for a change and extra points to the films narrator. Anyone who knows the famous story about The Grinch will appreciate the effort that the creators of the film made to stay true to the spirit of the original even though this Grinch is on a killing spree.
This is a fun popcorn slasher that is perfect for the Christmas season. Maybe just don't put it on for the kids.
Kronos (1957)
Thoughtful Scifi
I love me some 50s science fiction, the cheesier the better. Of course there are some real classics like The Day The Earth Stood Still and The Incredible Shrinking Man. Kronos is actually up there with them. The movie touches on themes of mass consumption and finite resources, something that was not really addressed until later in movies.
The histrionics are thankfully kept to a minimum and even though women were still woefully represented, the movie was a step in the right direction.
The film is a lot more thoughtful then many of the time that were made more for popcorn fare than anything serious. It is a shame that this movie isn't as well known as it should, it does deserve to be seen,
The Whisperer in Darkness (2011)
Lovecraft Done Right
I found this on Tubi and to be honest, I did not have high hopes as low budget movies tend to be rather poorly done. This however was a pleasant surprise. The movie was shot in black and white and done in a 1940s style that suited it perfectly. It had the look and feel of an old Universal horror movie and have the movie a lovely vintage aesthetic.
The acting and scripting were both spot on, the actors all doing an excellent job. While it is clear that this film did not have a huge budget, it seemed to work in its favour rather than against it.
The Whisperer In The Darkness is one of H. P Lovecraft's better stories and this movie really does it justice.
The story is reasonably true to the source and they make the effort to make it feel like a cosmic horror.
I won't go into the details of the plot as it is better to just watch it, even if you are not a fan of Lovecraft. You will be well rewarded.
Videodrome (1983)
Cronenberg Classic
This a bleak movie that really shows the almost symbiotic relationship humans have with media, in this case, television. This was kind of like Black Mirror but in the eighties and with a lot more surreal imagery. For 1983, this was considered pretty shocking, and to be honest, it still holds up today.
The cast is excellent, James Woods, Debbie Harry. This is a movie where they are both at the top of their acting. The special effects are amazing and still beats shonky ai effects hands down. The story is a little hard to follow at times, but this is not a movie that spoon feeds its audience. Instead it immerses you into a world of violence and freaky images that ramps the creep factor up to eleven.
This is Cronenberg at his best and this is a movie that should be seen at least once. It will be sure to stay in your memory log after you have seen it.
Il mulino delle donne di pietra (1960)
Grand Guignol Gothic Giallo
Boy they don't make 'em like they used to, These gorgeous atmospheric Gothic horror movies that marked Italian Giallo films apart from the rest. The beautiful costumes and sets, not to mention the dramatic musical scare and the over the top acting plus some pretty scary scenes and you have a classic horror movie. This film was the first Italian horror movie to be shot in colour and it looks good even after all this time.
The story itself is you standard young women are murdered in various ways, but the villain uses their bodies in his macabre display of wax figures.
This is one of the better 60s horror movies rich in atmosphere and mystery. It was also considered pretty shocking for its day, although by todays standard, it is pretty tame,
Definitely worth a watch.
All You Need Is Death (2023)
Gothic Atmospheric Irish Horror
This is not a movie that it is easily defined. It is part folk horror, part Gothic horror and unique in its own right.
Two people. Anna and Aleks search for old folk songs the rarer, the better. They visit an old woman, Rita who sing them an ancient and forbidden song. The song in an ancient and unknown language is creepy and the way the old woman belts it out is actually quite unnerving. This is the bare bones of the story and I am not going to go further into depth as this needs to be experienced without knowing the plot of outcome. This is a wonderful film that explores all the darkness that the song describes.
There is a bleakness to this film that gives the sense that nothing good is going to come from discovering the song or the story behind it. There is a real sense of unease and dread as the story unfolds and towards the end, it is not for the faint of heart.
This is a movie that really ups the stakes in the horror genre, it is well acted and well told, a visual treat that while some might find slow and a little confusing, other will love.
Give it a watch and decide for yourself.
Blood Theatre (1984)
An Extra Star For Mary Woronov
This is bad, not even so bad it's good bad, it is just plain bad. This movie could have been pretty good but the acting from most of the actors is just terrible. The movie is unfocused and the story is uneven and all over the place. The premise, murders happening in an old theatre would have worked with better actors, Mary Woronov excepted. The movie was a chore to watch towards the end and some of the terrible acting had me rolling my eyes so hard, I thought they were going to get stuck.
I usually love old 80s movies, even the bad ones but this really was confused and just not entertaining.
I would not recommend this as it is just not a great movie.
Victor Frankenstein (1977)
A Faithful Adaptation Of The Book
Terror Of Frankenstein is a beautifully rendered adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel of a young medical student who learns the secret to creating life.
Leon Vitali as Victor Frankenstein is wonderful as the haunted intense scientist/student but the movie belongs to Per Oscarsson as the creature that was brought to life then rejected by his creator.
Stacey Darning is sweet as Elizabeth but does not really bring anything. The most intense scenes are between man and the creature that he created.
This is not a movie that is action packed or filled with gore but more a faithful adaptation of the classic novel.
The photography is lovely in a slow classical way, no jump cuts or jumps scares here. This is a serious and almost melancholy retelling that does the original story justice.
This is one adaptation worth watching.
The Rooster (2023)
Sad Exploration Of Trauma
This is a film that looks at trauma and mental health in men in a way that is both minimalist and sensitive. The Rooster is an understated film that quietly explores how lives can go wrong and so easily.
The movie focuses on two men, a policeman and an old hermit, both who are carrying their own demons.
Mit, the hermit is an alcoholic who has cancer and he see a young man commit suicide in the bush. The policeman, Dan is a friend of the man who died and seeks answers. This is not a mystery as the cause of death is clear, but rather the story of trauma and grief.
Both men connect and Dan slowly starts to heal but for Mit who is dying, he carries the guilt and grief with him.
Mit's story is a brutal one after he reveals that he was molested by a priest in boarding school. This is a heart wrenching story made even more so by how muted the storytelling is.
The production, acting and music score are all excellent, The locations are gorgeous and the story is a powerful one.
Some might find the movie slow and even a little boring, but for those who have the patience will be rewarded with a beautifully thoughtful and cerebral movie.
The Ghoul (1975)
Classic Movie
I love the classic horror movies and this is one of the better ones. It was a treat seeing a young John Hurt. The acting is great and there is a wonderfully creepy atmosphere that gives the movie an under current that is unsettling.
The acting, although a little dated is still great and it is always a joy to see Peter Cushing, he is wonderful in everything he has been in.
The Ghoul is understated in its horror and it is more what is hinted at rather than what the viewer sees. Because of the time the movie was made, there could not be a lot of bloody scenes, but more a terrifying secret that is slowly revealed.
This is a classic horror that deserves to be seen.
Spider from the Attic (2021)
Damn Big Spider
I love these creature movies, even the bad ones but this was so dark I could barely see it. The acting was hit and miss and I usually like British movies. I find that they tend to be understated so much creepier, but these characters were just plain dumb.
If I were to see a spider the size of a large dog, I would tell everyone in the language of horrified screams, then run like hell, and I am Australian. We live with bird eating spiders, and keep in mind, out birds are emus, so think about that for a minute.
I wanted to like the movie but it was so hard to see that I ended up tuning out as I could not see anything.
It was not a bad movie, but I am sick of films being so dark that it is hard to see anything.
The Jester (2023)
Not Great But Not Awful Either
The biggest problem with this movie is that it really doesn't really go anywhere. The big bad of the movie, the Jester is pretty good and he is scary enough but it is the movie that lets it down.
The story meanders, telling the tale of two half sisters after their father was killed. It does enter some emotional territory which is okay but it does tend to bog the film down a little at times.
The kills are good and the Jester is creepy. But what is he exactly?
I am not someone who needs everything explained to me, but I never got the significance of this character? The movie doesn't really explain it.
It did hold my interest but I doubt I will watch it again. I would love to see a better movie with the Jester though.
Amityville Death House (2015)
Great You Read From A Witches Book And Now We Are All Forced To Watch This Movie
Wow this is bad, really bad. Not even Eric Roberts voice to save this movie.
The acting is terrible, the characters are uninteresting and the special effects are dire. There is nothing interesting or entertaining about this film, it's not even so bad it's good, it is just plain bad.
Why is Eric Roberts even in this? You even get to see him.
This movie may have had a good idea but did not have the budget or talent or vision to do anything with it.
I sat through this dreck hoping to find something, anything I could like about the movie, but nope. I would not recommend watching this at all. Maybe with a better cast and director it might have been a good horror film but sadly it was not even fun to watch,
The Forgotten (2014)
Modern British Horror With Touches Of Gothic Overtones
I love British horror movies, I find that they tend to be understated and beautifully crafted horror films that go for chills rather than gore.
This is a slow burn movie with story and atmosphere over violence and gore which works here as this is a horror movie on a smaller scale.
This movie doesn't have a huge budget but it seems to make every scene count. The acting is very good
A young teenage boy squats with his dad in an empty council block of flats. His mother has had a breakdown and is in a psychiatric hospital. He meets a young woman and they form a friendship. Everything is okay until he starts hearing strange noises at night and becomes convinced that there is someone else living in the empty building.
The atmosphere and story is very much in the style of MR James and Poe. It has a very modern British Gothic feel that really works here.
This is an excellent horror movie but there will be some that will find this slow and maybe even boring. Stay with it though as ultimately you might find it rewarding.
Benny Loves You (2019)
You Better Love Benny...Or Else
Benny Loves You is a fun movie that has as many chuckles as it does scares. I do love killer toy movies and this is a pretty good one.
While not perfect, you can see that real love and care went into making this movie.
The acting and effects are good for a movie that I don't had a big budget and there a few fun scenes that really do sent the movie into crackers territory, which is fine as I think that was the point.
Is it perfect? Not by any means, but it is still a film that is fun and entertaining. Benny is a gruesome little killer while still being utterly adorable. I was surprised that I enjoyed this movie as much as I did. Usually movies in this genre can be either great like Childs Play, or terrible like Puppetmaster vs Demonic Toys, (a guilty pleasure of mine.)
I personally think that this is a movie worth checking out.
T.1.M. (2023)
Decent Scifi Horror
I found this on Kanopy and sometimes their movies like Tubi and Plex can be a little hit and miss. That being said, I found myself really enjoying this British scifi horror movie.
TIM is and Ai android, think, M3GAN, only somehow even creepier.
He is sent to one of the tech creator's house much to the dismay of her spouse. The relationship is already strained due to her partner's previous infidelities and having TIM there makes things worse.
This is a clever little film, not as slick as I, Robot, AI or M3GAN, but it does bring the thrills and chills.
This is a well acted and well scripted movie that does keep you watching. The effects are good for a movie that I don't think had a huge budget but the decent production and music really rounded the movie out.
This is a solid effort that is really worth watching especially since there is so much talk about AI right now.
It may not be for those that want a bigger, more action packed movie, but those that want something a little edgier will really enjoy this.
Children of Darkwood House (2018)
Beautifully Gothic
This is a movie that really shows that you don't need constant jump scares and CGI to make a good film. The story and acting are enough to convey a very creepy story. The movie's atmosphere is rich without becoming cheesy like some Gothic style horror movies can become.
This movie glides along traditional lines like The Innocents and The Haunting. This isn't a movie for people for people that want action and gore but rather story, acting and a sense of unease that turns into dread.
I have to admit I am not a fan of torture porn and I much prefer movies that rely on genuine scares rather than gore.
I do recommend this movie to those that enjoy films like The Others and The Orphanage. Movies that actually have a plot and decent acting.
I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
Achingly Sad
I have no idea why this movie is marketed as a horror movie. This is a movie about the pain of being someone that you are not, of being trapped in a life that you were never meant to live. This is a film that brings a sense of sadness and longing that most people do not feel, but people who are trans often do because of bigotry against them.
The actors are excellent in their roles and bring a sense of authenticity to their characters.
I am not going to include a plot description as it is better to go in cold and see it for yourself, it is an experience and not all will enjoy it. Some might find it too slow and talky, but this is a movie that will stay in the memory long after you have seen it.
Day Shift (2022)
Paycheck Movie
With Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg both in this I expected something better. I guess I had my expectations way too high. I loved Foxx in the Spiderman movies but he does not bring the same charm here.
This is merely a paycheck movie and it shows. The action is good and the vampires are interesting but it is not enough to carry the movie.
There is enough blood and action to keep most happy but the plot is sadly lacking.
I admit to losing interest halfway through the movie, there just wasn't much to keep my attention
It is a dumb action packed movie that does not bring much to the table. I did like some of the references to other movies though.
I just wish that this movie had more meat on its bones. Still it will keep people who want something fun and cheesy happy.
Hotel Artemis (2018)
Welcome To The Hotel Artemis
To be honest, I only watched this for Jodie Foster and Jeff Goldblum, two amazing actors and they did not disappoint. The movie itself is pretty paint by the numbers. Set in a dystopian future, there are deadly riots tearing the city apart due the water being turned off. Meanwhile a hospital that only treats criminals, the nurse is caring for her patients.
The movie is competently done but it is the performances of both Goldblum and Foster that make it interesting, otherwise it would be just another action movie set in a dystopian world.
The rest of the characters are okay, nothing really stands out and the actors all do their jobs well enough. The biggest problem with the film is that these kinds of movies have been done before and done better. It doesn't say anything different.
Still it delivers the goods and will keep any fan of violent action happy.
Kabut Berduri (2024)
Intriguing Mystery
I have a real fondness for Asian movies, they are usually well written and well acted, even with smaller budgets than many Hollywood blockbusters These movies are involving and can stay in the memory for a long time. While Borderless Fof is not as memorable as P, The Grudge, The Ring and Dark Water, this is still an excellent mystery with some strong supernatural overtones.
A police detective has to try investigate what appears to be a series of murders. But nothing is quite what it seems.
The officer has dark secrets of her own and this starts to affect her during the investigation.
This is a dark movie that explores various political and local problems in the region while dealing with human trafficking and something perhaps supernatural as well.
This is a slow and brooding movie which is rather talky which some people seeking more action might find boring, but this is a movie worth watching for the mystery that slowly unfolds.
The Food of the Gods (1976)
Fun 70s Creature Feature
The 70s and 80s gave us some really great nature horror movies, Night Of The Lepus, Kingdom Of The Spiders, Grizzly, Prophecy, The Rats, Frogs, Nightwing just to name a few. Some were good and others, not so much. This lies somewhere in the middle.
The effects are good and the acting is fine although the characters
are a little cliched. Hey, it was the seventies, what can I say. The story, a group of people are menaced by giant rats, is pretty standard fare. It isn't bad, more just dated.
This is the kind of movie that is fun to watch when you don't feel like slogging through anything really heavy. Having grown up in the sixties and seventies, I have fond memories of these horror movies. This isn't a classic, but it is entertaining and does hav. Have its own unique charm.
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 (2024)
An Improvement On The First Movie
As much as I enjoyed the first movie, they made the mistake of focussing the action on some random girls instead of Christopher Robin. In this sequel, the story is more based around Christopher Robin. This takes place after the first movie where people suspect CR of murdering the young women in the 100 Woods Massacre.
The creatures can speak now although I liked that they were originally silent in the first movie.
With a new cast and a bigger budget, you can see an improvement in both acting, story and effects. There are still some problems though when the story drags a little and some of the scenes are so dark you can barely see what is going on.
I think this is going to be like the Killjoy series where the first movie was not great but the series improved as it went along.
I am looking forward to seeing the cross overs that they creators seem to have planned.
Rampage (2018)
A Classic For The Ages...Nah, Just Kidding
This is a 'you get what you pay for' movie, filled with action and fun. This is based on a video game that I vaguely remember so it is not going to be deep and thoughtful at all. The only movie that I comes to mind that treated its subject material somberly was Silent Hill.
The actors all do their thing well enough and the scenes with the giant animals were fun. There is no real plot to think of, but then again, it's not that kind of movie.
Just grab a bowl of popcorn and settle back to watch a pretty entertaining movie that delivers what it promises, a lot of action and cookie cutter characters,
If you love these kinds of movies, this is definitely for you.