Movie Review: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

The third film based on Stieg Larsson's trilogy of novels has arrived in US theaters just as the second episode, The Girl Who Played with Fire, is hitting home video. Having seen and loved the first two, I was really looking forward to this final outing. Despite this turning into a case of diminishing returns, that does not make it any less involving than either of the first two. This is also the first time in memory where I have seen three films in the same series in theaters for the first time in a single year, it is quite the condensed experience. It is also an experience I recommend you try. At the very least, see the films prior to the release of the American adaptation of the first one hits (a film I am cautiously optimistic about).

Experience: Hudson Horror Show II - Dead by Dawn (11/6/10 in Poughkeepsie, NY)

Believe me when I say experience, as the Hudson Horror Show is definitely an experience. One that you want to have, that is. Perhaps it is my overall lack of festival experience, but the Hudson Horror Show is a phenomenal experience put on by those who love horror and attended by a great group of like minded individuals. We all came together to have an experience that you can only have in this collective environment. It is a show that featured 5 classic horror movies along with a great collection of classic trailers, all 35mm projections.

Blu-ray Review: Return of the Living Dead

Way back in 1985, Dan O'Bannon delivered a new take on the zombie film. Well, perhaps not new new, but definitely a different spin that is a lot of fun and has stood the test of time. This is no small feat for a genre that had long been defined by the 1968 George Romero classic Night of the Living Dead. Prior to that, zombie films were primarily of the voodoo variety, beginning with the Bela Lugosi film White Zombie. As entertaining as the voodoo zombies can be, the Romero style zombie film is my preferred take on the zombie sub-genre. Now, what Dan O'Bannon did was take the lore built by Romero and the related films and turned it on its ear, crafting a sneaky blend of horror and comedy set to a pulsing punk-rock soundtrack.

Blu-ray Review: Mirrors 2

Two years ago we were given the film Mirrors, it was a stylish horror film from French director Alexandre Aja (High Tension, Piranha 3D) and starring Kiefer Sutherland (24), based on the Korean film Into the Mirror. It was an interesting mix of Asian horror remake through a French filter in the American system. The movie had great style, a creepy atmosphere, and a neat ending but was not a terribly good movie as it made little sense and did not really hold together. We now have a sequel that in a way is a better movie than its predecessor but is not executed nearly as well, and that's saying something.

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Music Review: Halford - Made of Metal

Rob Halford is a Metal God. There is no denying this. When it comes to the godfathers of metal the names that come to mind are Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. These three distinct flavors have had some sort of influence on everything that has come since. Sure, you can argue the point, but that is how I see it. Now, recognizing Halford and Priest's contributions over the decades makes listening to this album a rather disappointing experience.

Movie Review: Conviction (2010)

By all counts Conviction is a good movie. It is for the most part well acted, paced well, is written well, and is based on an incredibly compelling true life story. With all of those admittedly good elements, why does this fail to work for me? Aside from those manipulative heart string moments, I cannot say this did all that much for me. I will likely be in the minority when it comes to this but by and large I did not care for this movie.

Movie Review: Saw 3D

It doesn't matter of you see a 2D or a 3D screening, the title remains the same: Saw 3D. Well, at least they didn't go with that rumored title of Saw: The Traps Come Alive, that just would have been silly. I was always kind of partial to Saw: The Final Chapter because just like that other horror series to use that header we all know this isn't going to be the last one. It may take a few years and they may end up as direct to video releases, but does anyone think this is it? Especially if this one proves to be a financial success?