joshuaanastasialove Reviews

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

Like WTF level of original

[9/10 · 28 April 2024]

I am absolutely a horror junkie, however possession films tend to be my absolutely least favorite. As much as I love horror I think the original three exorcist movies are probably some of the most boring things ever committed to the silver screen. The latest one was halfway decent. I could name a handful of possession films that I have found remotely enjoyable.

Late night with the devil blew every single one of them out of the water. There were genuinely parts where I could not look away.

I love the visuality of this film. It genuinely felt and looked like something recovered from the '70s. It was grainy it was dull of color exactly like '70s TV was. That was a really cool throwback. The story told was engaging, original and beautifully done. The acting was top-notch. Like the skeptic guy did it so well that he genuinely got on my nerves. I think a great thing to point out with this is often in horror The interactions between people are not written in a realistic way; like a lot of them when you watch you're like that's not how real people would respond to that situation. Well it's safe to say that the Cairnes's brothers don't have an issue with that. The interactions between people in this film felt genuinely real. There was not a moment where it seemed overwritten or acted.

I went into this film eager to see it just because it was this highly talked about new horror movie. However, though eager, I for sure had very low expectations. We're talking made the room too hot sat up in the most uncomfortable position just to make myself uncomfortable so I wouldn't fall asleep during the movie level expectations. And then they shot my expectations in the face. I definitely spent the last part of the movie comfortable cuz I knew I wasn't going to sleep. Like the movie actually found my nerves and gave them the Goosebumps. Bravo.

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

A love letter to Edgar Allan Poe

[9/10 · 14 October 2023]

Mike Flanagan is clearly a Poe fan. The fall of the house of usher is my favorite Poe story. The 1960 Vincent Price film of that story is one of my favorite movies of all time. I came into this expecting a similar story told longer. That is not what I got.

After the first episode I was actually kind of annoyed because I wasn't getting it. I didn't get how this was the house of usher. I thought it was beautiful and it definitely grabbed my attention but it wasn't what I was expecting to be. And then after a few episodes I realized what was happening. Every episode is a modern retelling of an Edgar Allan Poe story. And then tying each of those stories into the house of usher. It was genius. Some people will catch that by reading the titles of each episode but I honestly didn't pay any attention to that until I was four episodes in. Obviously the episode title does give away what the story in that episode will be but then the creative journey will show us how it ties to our main story.

I think from start to finish this entire project was so well done. The acting is outstanding. Every special effect was marvelous. The sets were beautiful and unique. The writing and the directing are top knots. There are definitely some beautiful and unique shots in this work. I could honestly write a book about how much I loved this. This is something I will watch again and again.

Devilreaux (2023)

Devilcrap

[3/10 · 6 September 2023]

So many of the scenes in this film were acted as if they were filming a low budget p**no. I am a huge Tony Todd fan, like epically huge, and this is hands down the worst performance of his career. It's like he saw that the rest of the acting was so bad that he decided to make his acting be bad to match theirs. They tried to jump the storyline around to make the point interesting I guess but they just jumped the story around and made it stupid and convoluted. I'm genuinely mad that I spent $6 to watch this movie. Like I genuinely want my money back. I was very hyped for this movie and now I'm very disappointed. Some of the scenes were well done. The set for the house was very beautiful and realistic. Most of the other sets not realistic.

Halloween Ends (2022)

Best horror film of 2022

[10/10 · 14 October 2022]

After more than 40 years the franchises is fully closed (or so we hear for now). This turn brought new things to the table, while still holding true to what fans already loved.

As the 2018 movie did, and Jamie Lee Curtis and stated, this one more view of mental illness and healing. It also had the build ups and violence that we expect to come from a Halloween movie.

I know that some of the people hating on this film actually are having issues with the story of this one. However, I do think it is a very logical place for them to go based on all of the previous films. These are characters that we have loved and feared for many years, some of us for out entire life. ( I say since I am only 30 and remember watching the first Halloween even as a young child).

With this revival they have done a lot to match the tone and story of the original films while making it for the modern horror audience, which is a lot of blood and gore lovers. This instalment has the blood for those that only watch horror for that aspect. It also has actual parts that really put you on the edge of your seat and truly leave you wondering while making you feel the fear. It also has an actual in-depth story, not just a basic plot that you can scratch away.

I am a connoisseur of horror; movie, books, creepy pasta, ETC.. So I will say for those looking at this if you enjoy horror films you will enjoy this. If what you enjoy from horror is mostly just torture p***, then this might be too involved for you to enjoy it. This is a film where if you don't enjoy the story line and commit to it at least a little bit than you wont get much out of it.

Also I want to give a big nod to Jamie Lee Curtis. She is a very talented actress and I have always been a big fan of hers in everything from horror to comedy. But this. I honestly think this is the best performance we have ever seen from her. I was completely rooted in because of her. So thank you for this gift.

Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

This is not the powerhouse of the original, but still a joy!

[9/10 · 11 October 2022]

It has been 29 years since the original; a film played in nearly every house across America at least once a year. We have been teased with the idea of this sequel for several years now. I have heard lots of disappointment with this film, however I think that mostly comes from the anticipation. Which is why I waited to see it and heard some of the bad stuff first.

This actually had a really fun story. The original stars did an amazing job stepping back into characters that we have all loved for decades. The story for this one did take a different turn but stayed honest and respectful to the original. I do have to say that some of the comedy this time around was a bit more campy, but it was done with such talent that it was not off putting.

I do agree that some of the intended laughs missed their target. Certainly not all of them did though. I had several good genuine laughs from this movie. It was ridiculous, which you expect based off of the first film. This time around though they actually gave us more emotion. This follow up actually touched my feels.

It would have been great to some our three protagonists from the first film in here, but at the same time their absence actually makes more sense to the story. It would have been hard to work them back into it (not impossible though!). However, on that note, there were SO many tributes to the original spread all throughout that you don't feel the miss so much.

I will certainly be adding this to my yearly October watch list. I highly recommend that if you are a fan of the original that you should at the very least give this follow up one serious and full watch.

Wicked (1998)

Talk about a memorable movie

[9/10 · 5 August 2022]

Julia Stiles turned out a performance that is truly a master class in acting. The plot was good and driven at every turn. This is a legit roller coaster. Every aspect of this movie is so memorable. As a teenager and young adult I showed this movie to many people and not one of them didn't enjoy it. I have not seen it in years but I still remember it so vividly. I love this film. I need to find it on DVD somewhere.

Monstrous (2022)

This is a film for people who enjoy film

[8/10 · 18 July 2022]

Reading all the comments you will see so much of how the.twist is not origional or surprising. I knew where it was going as well, but I truly enjoyed the journey getting there. This movie is a beautiful look at mental health. The cinematography is outstanding. The camera showed you the hole in the story. Also the set and costumes were so beautifully done that it all added to the overall feeling of the work as a piece. Christinna Ricci absolutely did not fail to deliver. I will be watching this one again to see the things I missed. After that I'll probably watch it a dozen more times just to enjoy it. This is one I will be adding to my collection of films I watch repeatedly.

Lake Placid 2 (2007 TV Movie)

Confused by how a sequal to a pretty good movie can be THIS bad!

[2/10 · 2 June 2022]

This is one of the worst sequels in history ever made. The graphics are horrendous. Legitimately the most low budget poorly done special effects. The writing was also bad. The story is not interesting and the dialogue is so horribly unrealistic and unbelievable. The characters are flat one-dimensional pieces of paper. There is no redeeming quality to this film. And I'm so confused by that because the first Lake Placid was actually a pretty good movie; it had good graphics it was well written and very well-acted.

This movie is not worth your time. I am halfway through it right now and I don't even want to finish it. I decided to get up and do some cleaning and just keep this movie on for background noise just in case they bring Cloris Leachman on the screen again.

Unborn (I) (2022)

Honestly entertaining

[7/10 · 30 May 2022]

I legitimately don't understand why there are so many negative reviews on this movie. It is for sure the best TubiTV original I have seen. By far.

In horror if is not a new idea to have a woman pregnant with an evil spawn, but they added a lot of new elements to this story. I felt that the story line was deep and had some real substance. These characters were not flat. Frequently in this sub genera there are a lot of flat, undeveloped characters. However rhus film actually brought depth and life to the characters. Even many of the side characters felt Luke they had some substance.

The plot was well driven and flushed out. They did not leave a lot of boring filler time.

Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989)

The intentional dumb blond of horror

[5/10 · 8 April 2022]

The U. S army calls upon a women's studies professor to take on a canable tribe of women in the avocado jungle. (The avocado jungle....is a jungel....in southern California.....yah....let's ignore that) They need her because the avocado jungle is the only place left in the world where avocados still grow. And previously this tribe, with spears and sticks, took out an entire fleet of army soldiers with airsupport. (I wish they had shown that) This movie was hipster before hipster was a thing.

She goes in to see what she can do to help and finds more than she planned. One thing she finds is Adrienne Barbeau with perfectly hairsprayed 80's hair and high heels in the jungel.

Do not enter with high expectations, but if you like camp take this for a ride. For some extra fun you can watch Elvira present it. Yes Elvira played it on her show. So that proves how good/bad it is all at once.

Honestly I have watched it a couple times and always enjoyed it. If nothing else think of it as a dumb blond; your not with it to learn but you can be entertained by the stupidity of it all.

A Bay of Blood (1971)

Killers getting killed

[8/10 · 7 April 2022]

This movie gas about as many murders as if you watch the full cut of clue. Murder gets murdered then that murder bites it. Then again. This movie is a great big "who will be left standing?". It might sound cheesy but it is actually really good, and it's fun. When you watch it you do need to remember that it is from 1971 so some effects are outdated, but all very good for their time. All of the acting was top of the game.

I will not call this film flawless but I really enjoy it and will watch it again. I highly recommend yo any horror fan.

The Unholy (2021)

Better than most like it

[7/10 · 3 April 2022]

This story is not origional or surprising in any way. The plot is exactly what you would expect. However, it is better done than most stories like it. The acting was well done as were the spechial effects. Over all it was a decent movie, though not at all scarry. I would call it more of a thriller than a horror. The opening sequence was very well done and quite nice.

Ouija (II) (2014)

Not origional but entertaining

[8/10 · 29 March 2022]

(Very mild spoilers but I don't reveal anything) Nothing about the story line was origional but it was well done. A lot of very standard horror tropes were used including jump scares. The redirect was not surprising or origional, but it was fun. The acting was good as were the effects. The spechial makeup was very well done. The spirits actually looked cool and eery. Most of the deaths are off screen and most of the scares are shown in the preview. While not origional the movie is well done and is actually entertaining; not edge of your seat or nail-biting but entertaining none the less. The one death that stands out as being fully on screen stands out because it was very anticlimactic. Her death scene is about a minute and a half and she spends about 10 seconds of that being afraid (or having any reaction at all). Honestly it was rather lame and and just felt forced.

Lost Voyage (2000 TV Movie)

Decent made for TV horror film

[6/10 · 28 March 2022]

I personally find it more thriller than horror but I enjoyed this movie as a child and I enjoyed it when I watched it today. It lacks the scares that a lot of us horror hounds love but does have a creepy and unsettling vibe. You see all of the deaths comming, not one of them is even slightly surprising. The story itself is interesting. A mis-mashed crew there for various reasons go to a ship that shows ip after being missing for 25 years in the Braumada Triangle. What they find is not what they expect. Parts of the film feel rushed (or maybe not well planned). The acting is better than a lot of TV movies, though certainly nit award worthy. When you consider the time (2001) and budget the graphics are actually quite good. I you like the explorations/ ghost sgips/Braumada Triangle sub genre of horror this is worth at least one watch for sure.

House of Usher (1960)

A legend at his best

[10/10 · 27 March 2022]

This film is Vincent Price at his best. He was not the only one at the top of their game on this project. Roger Corman brought an outstanding vision to the screen. This movie is 62 years old and in my opinion it is still one of the best Edgar Allan Poe stories on film. All of the acting in this movie was flawless. The sets were beautifully crafted and fully designed. The story holds up in such a strong way. There is a perfect and beautiful balance beteween the love story, the family situation and the horror going on.

The Haunted Palace (1963)

Beautiful film

[7/10 · 27 March 2022]

The story was not flawless but the film is beautiful. The sets, the disfigurement looks, the costumes. The only thing that was not so beautiful was the green skin looks could have used some work, however I would also counter that the improfection there helped add to the discomfort you were supposed to feel with those characters. It is a slow burn that is a great example of classic Gothic horror.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

Good work but boring string

[4/10 · 26 March 2022]

They did a great job actually keeping the feel of a crime documentary. It legit seams like a crime doc you would find on Netflix, though maybe a bit more reveling. The more reveling aspect is what gives it the horror vibe which was pushed a bit slow and fell dull more than once. Some of the acting was not the best ( also not the worst). The killer was the one filming and there were a few parts where I think he would have actually lined up shots better than what the director chose to do which was a bit of a killer for the vibe for me. Over all it did not live up to the hype for me but it was not a total snooze fest. I won't seak it out again but I also would not discourage anyone else from watching it. Artistically it is very smart. Definitely a recommendation for anyone who is a serious lover of found footage horror.