Month: February 2013

  • Crash Analysis: SINISTER (2012)

    Smart to derivative in three acts  Egomaniacal writer endangers family  SINISTER had such promise: A strong beginning, relatable yet interesting characters, great dialogue, Ethan Hawke’s spot-on acting, and some rock solid, if not disturbing intrigue. The first act alone is enough to make horror fans twinge from delight. After all, a noted but struggling true…

  • Crash Analysis: KICHIKU DAI ENKAI (Japan, 1997)

    Gored to death… Demise of a political group  Otherwise known as BANQUET OF THE BEASTS, the movie is based upon the Asama-Sanso Incident. During a ten day siege in 1972 at Karuizawa, members of the United Red Army (URA) turned against themselves, resulting in a blood bath. And in KICHIKU DAI ENKAI, the blood bath’s…

  • Crash Analysis: 700th Foreign Horror – The World’s Best

    Just watched my 700th foreign horror. Foreign for me means anything outside of the  United States. I indulged in Juan Lopez Moctezuma’s ALUCARDA (1975) from Mexico. Other than the constant screaming, ALUCARDA had a lot to offer visually. The set was organic, and the colors seemed straight out of a Bava film. Additionally, the costumes…

  • Crash Analysis: DEMON UNDER GLASS (2002)

    Great addition to the vampire mythos  Scientists capture a vampire for study Seems that Jon Cunningham’s first feature comes under some scrutiny for falling short of the mark, but don’t let that discourage you from taking a bite. The director co-wrote this wonderful script with Deborah Warner. It’s clear from the beginning the pair hoped…