REVIEWS
Cinema, Blu-ray/4K, Streaming and VOD Releases - Reviewed By Fans For Fans
SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY
SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY - Fans of Jess Franco and his muse Soledad Miranda will find much to enjoy here in yet another excellent presentation from Severin Films. Iain MacLeod reviews this deranged tale of revenge that highlights one of cult cinemas most memorable creative partnerships that was cut down by tragedy.
UNDERTONE
UNDERTONE - Debut director attempts to make podcasting spooky and terrifying in this tale of a female host trying to discover the truth behind a batch of sinister audio files. Iain MacLeod however finds nothing more to look at or listen to than a woman on her laptop and listening to spooky noises in a disappointingly thin attempt to update familiar ghost story tropes for the 21st century.
VAMPYROS LESBOS
VAMPYROS LESBOS - Re-released in a beautifully presented 4K special edition, Jess Franco’s keystone film seduces the viewer like never before. Iain MacLeod reviews this cult psychedelic, erotic classic that deserves to be recognised as Franco’s masterpiece.
THEY WILL KILL YOU
THEY WILL KILL YOU - A young woman takes a housekeeping job at the sinister, foreboding hotel unaware that it’s run by a bunch of evil Satanists. Unfortunately for them she has her own secrets and a big bag of weapons to back them up. Iain MacLeod reviews a film packed full of action beats that feels all too familiar and far too thin when it comes to the plot.
READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME
READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME - The long, long awaited sequel finally arrives on cinema screens. Once more Samara Weaving returns to do battle with the forces of darkness who ruined her wedding night and now threaten not only her life but her little sisters too.Iain MacLeod reviews a fun sequel which also features the added bonus of Sarah Michelle Gellar to the genre that made her name.
THE BRIDE!
THE BRIDE! - Time for a re-evaluation? Steven West springs to the defence of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s recent revisionist take on Mary Shelley and her immortal creations and finds much to admire in a film that hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
THE DEVIL’S HAND
THE DEVIL’S HAND - The French horror classic, made in 1943 under Nazi occupation, receives a long overdue Blu-ray release from Eureka Entertainment. Iain MacLeod reviews this tale of a deal with the devil and the cursed titular talisman at the heart of a desperate artist's woes that still impresses with its dreamlike imagery and sinister atmosphere.
SCREAM 7
SCREAM 7 - The delayed sequel arrives onscreen after losing its two main stars from the previous two films, hoping Neve Campbell’s return will appease longtime fans. Iain MacLeod reviews this uninspired and pedestrian entry in a long running franchise that splutters onto the screen with none of the verve or wit that made the first film so entertaining and fun.
THE UGLY STEPSISTER
THE UGLY STEPSISTER - The fairy tale staple gets a horrific, feminist Norwegian makeover in this acclaimed, and Oscar nominated revisionist take. Steven West reviews the new Limited Edition stacked with extras and finds much to enjoy, and have his stomach turned by
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN
V/H/S/HALLOWEEN - The found footage franchise continues with this eighth entry focussing on the theme of every horror fans favourite season. Chris Ward reviews the new Blu-ray release and finds this a strong entry with an imaginative and eclectic mix of gore and scares.
SEND HELP
SEND HELP - After 17 years, Sam Raimi returns to horror with SEND HELP. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien play the put-upon worker and alpha-bro boss stranded on a deserted island, finding themselves stuck in a bloody, gory battle for survival. Iain MacLeod reviews this gleefully cruel return to form from one of the genre’s most recognisable directors.
IRON LUNG
IRON LUNG - Another week, another video game adaptation, this time with the added bonus of being directed by and starring a YouTube personality. IRON LUNG however bucks the trend with its oppressive location and hints of cosmic horror that leaves reviewer Iain MacLeod impressed by Mark Fischbach’s debut.
RETURN TO SILENT HILL
Christophe Gans returns to the much loved horror video game franchise with this adaptation of the second game in the series. Iain MacLeod reviews and struggles to engage with a film that amounts to little more than a replication of the feeling you have watching someone else play a game while you wait for your own turn.
28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE
One more trip to the ravaged lands of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s infected UK, courtesy this time of new director Nia Dacosta. Iain MacLeod reviews the massively entertaining entry that brings Ralph Fiennes’ kindly Dr Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s evil Sir Jimmy Crystal face to face in a film which while only being released in the second week of January could end up being one of the best of the year.
POSSESSION
The long awaited special edition of Andrezj Zulawski’s deranged masterpiece finally arrives on 4k and Blu-ray, courtesy of Second Sight Films. Iain MacLeod reviews the most essential physical re-issue of the year and finds the film itself still astonishes from its provocative imagery to its still unnerving, hysterical performances from Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani.
SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT
SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT - You better watch out, here’s another remake of the Xmas stalk n’ slash “classic.” Iain MacLeod reviews the latest iteration that tries to do something new with the murderous Santa premise but fails to deliver in this underwhelming and muddled remake.
RE-ANIMATOR
Ready to buy RE-ANIMATOR again? Steven West (no relation to Herbert) reviews the new extras packed Blu-ray & 4K Limited Edition from Second Sight and finds there’s still lots to love about Stuart Gordon’s classic introduction to Herbert West.
MAXXXINE
The saga of Maxine Minx comes to a close with MAXXXINE, released on limited edition 4K and Blu-ray courtesy of Second Sight. Steven West reviews the 80’s set slasher that cements Mia Goth’s status as a horror perennial and pays tribute to giallo, De Palma, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood in fun style.