THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR

July 14, 2016 by moviemanster

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The Purge has become an almost annual tradition, much like its promotional material implies. As Saw used to be to the Halloween season, The Purge has started to mark its territory as the 4th of July. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they still have sequels up their sleeves to continue into “milking it” territory, but for now I’m OK with the yearly installments because they are (somehow) managing to keep this fantasy world fresh with new ideas. By now I’m sure the majority of people reading this already know what The Purge is about. One night out of the year the future government declares all crime legal in an effort to reduce crime for the remaining 364 days. From the trailers of these films alone one could easily write this trilogy off as torture porn with no substance and I would understand, but if they actually took the time to watch any one Purge film they would find a much deeper societal/political dialogue hidden behind the blood.

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SAW III

November 4, 2015 by moviemanster

♆♆♆ Saw ♆♆♆ Saw II ♆♆♆

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If you haven’t read the previous reviews, you might not understand what I’m talking about in this one! Click the links at the top!

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Saw III starts up with the echoing screams from the ending of the last one, throwing you right back into the mix. It’s a nice opening to get the horror juices flowing, whether you just watched Saw II or not. Jigsaw is on his deathbed and has a new acolyte carrying out his twisted games while he pulls the strings behind the scenes. The brainwashed follower captures a surgeon from a hospital with the intent of preserving Jigsaw for as long as possible. A second story runs parallel with a man named Jeff, played by Angus Mcfayden (Braveheart, Equilibrium), who had lost everything waking up in a run of traps. Wandering through the obstacle course, he faces the people he accused of ruining his life and must decide what becomes of them.

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SAW II

November 3, 2015 by moviemanster

♆♆♆ Saw ♆♆♆ Saw III ♆♆♆

STOP
If you haven’t read the previous review, you might not understand what I’m talking about in this one! Click the link at the top!

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Saw II continues the legacy of the “Jigsaw” killer, but this time instead of a single room entrapping two guys, there is a whole house full of victims. As the setting expands so does the story. A new cop is introduced, played by Donnie Wahlburg (Blue Bloods), who finally catches up to Jigsaw but also learns his son is involved in the deviant’s newest trap. A race begins to interrogate Jigsaw before the cop’s son ends up dead.

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SAW

November 1, 2015 by moviemanster

It’s finally here! Night 31! The holy grail of the MASSACRE MARATHON! This year’s end of the line features a more recent entry into the horror classics hall of fame: Saw. What started as a small Australian short film blossomed into a juggernaut of a franchise, becoming a yearly Halloween staple. There are seven films total, but for this special day we are only focusing on the first three.

♆♆♆ Saw II ♆♆♆ Saw III ♆♆♆

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When writer/director James Wan and writer/actor Leigh Whannell came together in 2004 to make Saw they created a sadistic masterpiece. It was one of those films I remember everybody talking about when it was released. My maker introduced it to me when I was still a young, unsullied Manster. He explained to me how he heard it wasn’t only a horror movie, but a crime mystery too.

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HALLOWEEN 5: REVENGE OF MICHAEL MYERS

October 31, 2015 by moviemanster

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

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Not expecting anything much from the fifth installment in the franchise, I snuggled up and got as comfy as I could get in my new electric chair to watch Halloween 5: Revenge of Michael Myers. From the get go the girl in the clown suit on the cover reminded me of the painful memories brought on by the last terrible movie. I figured this one can’t be any worse.

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MY BLOODY VALENTINE

October 31, 2015 by moviemanster

My Bloody Valentine always sounded like a spoof title to me. It’s why I never watched it for all these years. Recently, a friend claimed it was a classic and I did happen to be longing for a movie with an atypical setting so I decided it was time to give in. The film takes place in a small mining town that is preparing for a Valentine’s Day dance when a serial killer decides to break up the fun. By the time the miners realize what is happening the murders are already piling up. They should have heeded his warning.

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THE LOST BOYS

October 30, 2015 by moviemanster

Every time I hear someone mention The Lost Boys it is in a fondly reminiscent tone. The general consensus seems to be that this film is a legend in its own right. When I would tell them I had never seen it, people would gasp in disbelief. Even Netflix has been hassling me with relentless recommendations to rent it. Now I have finally gotten around to it, with positive expectations. Without wasting your time with the specific details, I can tell you this movie made me feel sore, and not just from this guy’s gyrating hips.

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UNFRIENDED

October 29, 2015 by moviemanster

Unfriended is a horror movie told completely through the screen of a single computer. To be more clear, it shows you the “live” monitor of the main character the whole time. The story unfolds through a series of Skype video chats, as well as other popular sites like YouTube and Facebook. The only top site missing was Twitter (maybe because 250 characters wouldn’t add anything of importance). It is an interesting concept, although quite ridiculous. A group of cyber-bullying teenagers are talking online together on the anniversary of a colleague’s suicide when their chat is visited by an unwanted guest. Harassment ensues. I gave it the benefit of the doubt.

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WYRMWOOD: ROAD OF THE DEAD

October 27, 2015 by moviemanster

Never did I think this random movie I came across browsing Netflix would be worth my attention. I see it all the time. A film I have never heard of pops up. It has a badass cover/poster with something to pull me in. Then, I watch the movie only to find nothing from the cover made it in to the final cut, and if it does find its way in it doesn’t look nearly as good as advertised. This poster for Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead promises cool costumes, big guns and a horde of zombies.

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SHOCKER

October 26, 2015 by moviemanster

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Shocker is a forgotten movie Wes Craven (Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, other awesome stuff) made mid way through his career, bless his soul. I’ve never heard anyone else talk about this film so I hope this review will convince you to give it a watch. It’s bloody, has a sense of humor, and has a great villain. It’s all around electrifying fun!

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