Carlisle Cult Cinema Club presents its monthly film recommendations, by Paul PD Donaldson.
Attention all film and TV lovers! The Carlisle Cult Cinema Club is excited to bring you our new monthly film review column.
PD will be scouring the streaming services to find the hidden gems and must-see titles that you won't want to miss.
From the latest releases on Netflix and Amazon Prime to the classic films on Disney+ and beyond, we'll do the searching so you don't have to. Get ready to discover your new favourite show or movie as we bring you honest and insightful reviews every month.
This month we will be bringing a special edition, all our picks will be horror movies just in time for Halloween.
PROJECT WOLF HUNTING- 2022- AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Project Wolf Hunting is a film that truly delivers on its promise of a thrilling Splatter Fest. From the moment the movie starts, you are immediately drawn into a world of blood, guts, and non-stop action.
The premise of the film is incredibly intriguing. A group of prisoners, being transported from the Philippines to South Korea, find themselves in the midst of a prison break. However, what they didn't anticipate is the awakening of a mysterious monster that was also being transported alongside them.
This unexpected turn of events sets off a chain reaction of chaos and terror, as the monstrous creature goes on a rampage, tearing limbs from bodies in the most gruesome fashion.
One of the standout aspects of it is its unrelenting pace. The film doesn't waste any time in plunging you into the heart-pounding action. From start to finish, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, unable to look away as the intense and gory scenes unfold before your eyes.
The filmmakers have masterfully crafted a narrative that keeps you hooked throughout, making sure you never have a dull moment. The amount of blood and gore in this film is truly impressive.
If you're a fan of the horror genre, you'll be delighted by the abundance of gruesome visuals and the skillful way they are presented. The special effects team has done an outstanding job in creating realistic and visceral scenes that will leave you both shocked and amazed.
I cannot stress enough how much fun Project Wolf Hunting is. It's a rollercoaster of a movie that takes you on a thrilling ride, leaving you breathless by the end. If you're in the mood for an adrenaline-pumping, action-packed horror film, this is the one to watch.
To get a taste of the excitement that awaits you, I highly recommend checking out the trailer for Project Wolf Hunting. It will give you a glimpse into the intense and thrilling experience that the film has to offer.
So grab some popcorn, buckle up, and prepare yourself for a wild and exhilarating adventure with Project Wolf Hunting. Enjoy the ride!
TOTALLY KILLER- 2023
Totally Killer, directed by Nahnatchka Khan and starring Keirnan Shipka, Julia Bowen, and Randall Park, takes audiences on a trip through time and teenage angst. When the infamous Sweet Sixteen Killer resurfaces after 35 years, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally finds herself transported back to 1987, determined to prevent the killer's reign of terror.
If I were to distill it down, Totally Killer can be described as Halloween meets Back to the Future, sprinkled with a dash of Heathers. The film cleverly incorporates shots and plot points reminiscent of these iconic movies, even playfully referencing Back to the Future throughout the story.
The nostalgic atmosphere is further enhanced by a killer 80s soundtrack that perfectly captures the era. One of the film's strengths lies in its exploration of how societal norms have changed since the 80s.
It deftly addresses the differences between what was acceptable then versus now in a funny way. While Totally Killer shares similarities with The Final Girls, another time-traveling slasher movie, it manages to carve its own path.
The concept is great fun and offers a delightful twist on the Slasher films. The film successfully balances humor and suspense, resulting in an enjoyable and entertaining romp. It embraces the fish-out-of-water trope often found in time travel movies, delivering laughs along the way.
Another thing is the clever nod to Molly Ringwald and the gang of girls called The Molly's, who mirror the iconic Heathers Girl Gang. Without giving too much away, one particularly funny scene involves a girl being murdered to the tune of "Lady in Red."
It's these moments of dark humor that make Totally Killer a fun slasher-comedy. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It serves as a delightful throwback to the slashers of old while injecting fresh energy and a unique time travel twist.
The film's only minor flaw lies in some lackluster CGI in certain scenes. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. Totally Killer (2023) is a fun and nostalgic slasher-comedy that brilliantly melds iconic 80s films with a time travel twist.
Nahnatchka Khan's direction, coupled with the talented cast, creates a decent and entertaining watch. With its humor, memorable characters, and clever nods to the past, Totally Killer is a cracking watch and not a bad date movie for the coming Halloween.
EVIL DEAD RISE- 2023- NETFLIX
As a lifelong fan of the Evil Dead franchise, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Evil Dead Rise, and I have to say, it did not disappoint. Having seen all the films and the Ash vs the Evil Dead TV show, I was excited to see how this new installment would fit into the existing mythology.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film was the introduction of a New Necronomicon, adding to the already-established mythologies from Sam Raimi and Fedi Alvarez. It was fascinating to see how the filmmakers incorporated this new element into the storyline like The Recordings done on Vinyl Records instead of the Old Tape Recorder, and it added a level of depth and complexity to the overall narrative.
But what really made the film special were the little nods and Easter Eggs to the Original 81 Classic plus others in the Raimi Trilogy. As a die-hard fan, I appreciated these subtle references and callbacks, and it made me feel like the filmmakers truly understood and respected the legacy of the franchise.
I saw the film in the cinema with the lads nearly two weeks ago, this is the second time watching it and I’ll Probs Watch it again. Plus I am looking forward to the Blu-Ray so I can add it to my collection.
Overall, Evil Dead Rise was a Satisfying addition to the Evil Dead Franchise, and I would highly recommend it to any fan of the series. It was a true love letter to the original film, while also bringing something new and exciting to the table. Hail to the king, baby.
CABIN IN THE WOODS- 2011- SKY TV
Cabin in the Woods, directed by Drew Goddard and co-written by Goddard and Joss Whedon, is a 2011 horror, the pair had previously worked together on the iconic television shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
The story revolves around engineers Gary Sitterson and Steve Hadley, who operate from an underground laboratory and discuss a mysterious ritual that follows a failed operation in Stockholm.
Meanwhile, a group of American college students - Dana Polk, Jules Louden, Curt Vaughan, Holden McCrea, and Marty Mikalski - embark on a weekend getaway at Curt's cousin's cabin in the forest. Unbeknownst to them, Sitterson and Hadley manipulate the cabin and the students by administering mind-altering drugs.
As the group explores the cabin's cellar, they stumble upon bizarre objects, including the diary of Patience Buckner, a former cabin resident who suffered at the hands of her sadistic family. Inadvertently, Dana recites incantations from the diary, summoning the zombified Buckner family.
One of the notable aspects of Cabin in the Woods is its multitude of horror film references, with the most prominent being the Evil Dead. While there are numerous other references that I won't delve into now, as I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't seen it, plus I’ve got to keep these references back for the podcast as this is research, so you can look forward to a more in-depth exploration of them in a few weeks from Steve.
The film boasts an excellent cast, with some actors who have previously appeared in Whedon's Buffy and Angel series. Additionally, it served as an early film role for Chris Hemsworth, who has since become a well-known name in Hollywood.
However, one of the standout elements for me was Marty's coffee mug bong, which I found absolutely genius and was secretly envious of. What sets Cabin in the Woods apart is its ability to turn every horror movie trope on its head.
When I first saw it, I was captivated by its cleverness and the abundance of references scattered throughout. The film manages to maintain a steady pace, leading up to a crescendo of blood, gore, and an onslaught of ghoulies, ghosties, and all manner of beasties.
Cabin in the Woods is a gore-filled homage to the horror films I grew up on. Every time I watch it, I discover something new, further enhancing my appreciation for its unique blend of horror, humor, and homage.
THE POPE'S EXORCIST- 2023
The Pope's Exorcist, directed by Julius Avery and starring Russell Crowe and Franco Nero, is a half-decent movie that offers a solid performance from Crowe and a nice appearance by Nero as the Pope.
While it pays homage to The Exorcist, it falls short of creating the necessary tension and scares to reach the same level as that iconic original. Set in Rome in 1987, the film follows Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist, who has conducted numerous successful exorcisms throughout his career.
He travels to Spain to investigate the case of Henry, a troubled boy believed to be possessed by a powerful unholy spirit. As Henry's condition worsens, Father Amorth teams up with local clergyman Father Tomas Esquibel to rid the boy of the demonic forces plaguing him.
However, the exorcism proves to be just the tip of the iceberg as guilt, sin, and a hidden, centuries-old conspiracy threaten the soul of the Pope's exorcist. Russell Crowe delivers a solid performance as Father Amorth, bringing depth and gravitas to his portrayal of the experienced exorcist.
Franco Nero's appearance as the Pope adds a touch of charm to the film. Their performances anchor the story and keep it engaging, despite its shortcomings. The Pope's Exorcist does contain a few nods to The Exorcist, but it fails to capture the same level of tension and terror that made that film a horror classic.
While it may not reach the same heights, it still offers some entertainment value, particularly if you're a fan of horror. It could be a decent film to watch on a casual night after a visit to the pub.
It’s a passable horror film with solid performances from Russell Crowe and an enjoyable appearance by Franco Nero as the Pope. Although it falls short in terms of creating the necessary scares and tension, it’s still worth checking out, especially if you have a penchant for horror.
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