4 Awesome Crossover Fighting Games

One thing that became popular back in the 1990s was the use of crossover games, rather they be crossovers between 2 competitive fighting games or cross overs between a competitive fighting game, and another game or a competitive fighting game between 2 other games that initially not a fighting games at all.

With that said, I thought that you guys might enjoy these awesome cross over fighting games!

At number 4: Street Fighter X Mega Man (2012):

'Ryu' from the Street Fighter series vs, 'Mega Man' from the, 'Mega Man' series!

At number 3: Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe (2008):

Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe brings together the good, the bad & the ugly from a classic video game, and a series of classic comics that are the basis from some great video games!

At number 2: Battletoads & Double Dragon (1993):

Battletoads & Double Dragon... A good combo, eh?

At number 1: Marvel Vs. Capcom (1994):

Marvel Vs. Capcom... A classic video game!

5 Great Video Game Series That Got Their Starts A Generation Ago

That's right folks, with all of the modern games that are coming out at such a rapid rate, that we some times forget where some of these staple franchises have come from, and so I thought that I would remind some of us out there where these modern games got their start:

At number 5: Castlevania.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2' (2014), and 'Castlevania' (1986):

http://youtu.be/ENSDrPpFp-Y

http://youtu.be/pJk-zhp8aA0

At number 4: Contra.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Hard Corps Uprising' (2011), and 'Contra' (1987):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzQKF9LUQ90

http://youtu.be/ZDOrp_TMGfA

At number 3: Mega Man.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Mega Man 10' (2010), and 'Mega Man' (1987):

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnGfx0dfi7g&w=420&h=315]

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaS1c-16frU&w=560&h=315]

At number 2: Sonic The Hedgehog.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Sonic Boom' (2014), and 'Sonic The Hedgehog' (1991):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAhNkZWvZJ4

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ny0Pr09S8&w=420&h=315]

At number 1: Street Fighter.

For more information on this game please check out these scenes from, 'Street Fighter X Tekken' (2012), and 'Street Fighter' (1987):

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_dM7SWLBTQ&w=420&h=315]

http://youtu.be/KLQ1aCOSQos

Marilyn Manson: Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These) - (1995) - Song Review

[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignright" width="220"] Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils[/caption]

You know, as weird as people claim that Marilyn Manson is... And lets be honest here... This dude is pretty out there, I have to admit that his music is pretty awesome! I mean he takes metal to a whole new level, making it that borderline scary type of metal that I believe mostly only true goths really enjoy...

And you know what? His cover song for his 1995 EP, 'Sweet Dreams' was pretty much that level of awesomeness!

A remake of the classic 1980s song by the, 'Eurythmics', Marilyn Manson's song took the Eurythmics classic synthpop/new wave song and gave it the horror movie revamp!

What I mean by this is that  generally speaking the Eurythmics song was fun, and I imagine it could translate pretty well in to the soundtracks of certain Science Fiction movies of the 1980s... Marilyn Manson did that, but for Horror... As a matter of fact, I would say that this song could be a universally fun song to add to most horror movie soundtracks... As a matter of fact this song can already be heard in such horror movies as, Trick 'r Treat (2007), House On Haunted Hill (1999) and in the trailer for the Sci-fi/Fantasy movie, Wrath Of The Titans (2012)! And as for the small screen it can be heard in the pilot episode of Fox's hit TV series, 'The Following'!

[caption id="attachment_2897" align="aligncenter" width="458"] Marilyn Manson doing, 'Sweet Dreams' live in 2003![/caption]

The only problem with this song is that while it is definitely a fun one, it is also one of those songs that takes a certain type to listen to it and enjoy it... Basically it doesn't translate well to fans of other musical genres...

http://youtu.be/QUvVdTlA23w

 

American Battleship (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

Recently there was a movie that came out on the big screen that was loosely based on the board game called, Battleship (2012)… The truth is, is I have never actually seen this movie, but I can see how people can confuse this movie with, American Battleship (2012), and can even call this the B Movie attempt capitalizing on the success of that movie!

Now the reason that I feel confident about saying that is between knowing the story line (to some extent), and having seen the trailer for the movie, I can see that both movies appear to have very similar story line concepts, it looks like American Naval Vessels both end up going up against some sort of Alien threat, (although, since I haven’t seen Battleship, I can’t say rather it is a space born Alien menace that is attacking the Earth, or if it is something from Earth (like in, The Abyss (1989)).

But other than that, I can see that there are certain differences in the two movies, first of them being is that, for as good as American Battleship was (and this maybe one of the best Science Fiction movies that I have seen in a while that utilizes the modern Military). It definitely does have that Sci-fi Channel movie feel to it, (which is not a bad thing).

Unlike Battleship, which has A list first string actors and actresses, American Battleship has some great second string talent to it.

[caption id="attachment_2829" align="aligncenter" width="225"] A truly awesome b movie![/caption]

In the end, American Battleship, a movie that was Written & Directed By: Thunder Levin (Soulmates) and which stars, Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City), Carl Weathers (Predator), Johanna Watts (The Falls), Nikki McCauley (Busting Out), Elijah Chester (The Box), Sean Patrick Smith (Tainted Love).

This movie tells the story of the U.S.S. Iowa, a ship that had been designed and built for the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

Now during that time that ship had seen a lot combat, but after just about 80 years of service, this ship is being moth balled and is on its final mission to arrive from the South Pacific back to the United States west coast, so that it can be mothballed and become a museum ship… This all until the Captain of the ship decides to go off and check on the U.S.S. Enterprise and her carrier group, so that they can find out what happened to those ships…

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="650"] The bridge crew of the Iowa as they head in to the history books![/caption]

Well when they get to the area, the crew is attacked by an as yet unseen force that is secretly trying to push the world in to a nuclear war, and as the world gets closer, it looks like the U.S.S. Iowa is going to have to go to war with this unseen entity and stop them before the scales are tipped!

In the end, I thought that this movie had great special effects, a fun story, and a great cast, all rolled in to one, with some cheesy one liners that just simply rock! Definitely one that I enjoyed and you might to!

http://youtu.be/Yr-Y8IeWymo

Dark Shadows (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

One of the cool things that I have learned in Hollywood is that some of my favorite movies are movies that were made by great duos that have worked together before and since on some great movies!

A few examples of this:

A: Ben Stiller (Night At The Museum), and Owen Wilson (Meet The Parents), who did such classics as the, 'Night At The Museum' series, and the, 'Meet the Parents' series, and now it looks like they may be working on the sequel to the classic movie, Zoolander (2001) together!

B: John Carpenter (Halloween) and Jamie Lee Curtis (Terror Train)... Now I am only mentioning these two alone (the fact is, is there are more then a few people that have worked on many of Carpenter's best films), but I am mentioning just these two, because they started my favorite franchise (Halloween) a legendary franchise that has continued on in a remake series going all the way to the present!

The next pairing that I wanted to mention here is that of Johnny Depp (A Nightmare On Elm Street) and Tim Burton (Beetlejuice). Now these guys have done more then a few movies together, but the one that I wanted to talk about here is, Dark Shadows (2012)!

[caption id="attachment_2686" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Johnny Depp as, 'Barnabas Collins' in, 'Dark Shadows' (2012)![/caption]

Written by: Seth Grahame-Greene (The Hard Times Of RJ Berger), John August (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle) & Directed by: Tim Burton. Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns), Eva Green (Casino Royale), Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club), Jackie Earle Haley (A Nightmare On Elm Street), Jonny Lee Miller (Hackers), Bella Heathcote (In time), Chloe Moretz (Hugo) & Gulliver McGrath (Lincoln).

This movie is a fun tale of Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) who in the 18th century ends up sleeping with a servant (who turns out to be a witch) by the name of, 'Angelique' (Green).

Now at this time in the world, Barnabas and his family are filthy rich (having founded the small fishing village of, 'Collinsport' and having a huge and immensely successful fishing company!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Barnabas and his one night stand centuries later![/caption]

Well after Barnabas sleeps with Angelique, she ends up falling in love with Barnabas... The only problem is that Barnabas as it has it, doesn't love her!

So Angelique ends up being so angry that she casts a spell that kills Barnabas's family! When he still doesn't seem to seek her company, and ends up falling in love with a woman by the name of, 'Josette' (Heathcotte), Angelique decides to get the ultimate revenge!

You see, first she casts a spell to make Josette commit suicide and then turns the grief stricken Barnabas in to a vampire and has him buried in a a coffin so that he could be alone with his grief forever!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Barnabas in his tomb![/caption]

Centuries later the Collins family name has been turned to shit, the family itself is a joke, with Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Pfeiffer) who is trying to keep her daughter, 'Carolyn' (Moretz) and her looser brother, 'Roger' and his grief stricken son, 'David' together as they destroy the last of the Collins dynasty together!

But their savior is about to role in to the world, when while building a new road, a work crew comes across Barnabas's coffin and accidentally releaswa him!

Barnabas sets back home with the intention of bringing the family name back to prominence again... The only problem is that there is some one from Barnabas's past that still has a bone or two to pick with him!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Barnabas with the remnants of his once proud and family, and the few people they could afford to employee...[/caption]

The truth is, is that this movie is hilarious, I mean you don't expect Johnny Depp to play such a convincing Vampire (I think he got at least some of his influence from Max Schreck, who played, 'Count Orlok' in Nosferatu (1922) but when you see Johnny Depp talking with Christopher Lee (One of the most well recognized Dracula's of all time), you can't help but be impressed!

And as for the Barnabas's family in the future, the way they play the stuck up slowing bankrupting themselves type, you can't help but be overjoyed!

The only part that I really didn't like is the ridiculous over the top love interest that Angelique had for Barnabas (I mean I have seen obsession movies, but this went a little to far!)

Either way, this movie is a lot of fun, and is good for more then a few chuckles, and if you haven't checked it out yet but intend to, then you might find you like it as well!

http://youtu.be/wpWvkFlyl4M

Bring Blaster Master To The Big Screen

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Blaster Master was originally a video game, but would make for a great movie![/caption]

One of the biggest areas that Hollywood seems to have adequately neglected and replaceed with literally dozens upon dozens of remakes... are the movies that are based on video games... Don't get me wrong when I say that there truly are some impressive movies based on video games... There are some duds as well... But there are some truly fun ones that still need to be made!

So I am hopping that with this series, to bring awareness to Hollywood about the fact that it is not time yet for Hollywood to remake everything it has ever made... That time will come, but until then there are other avenues to exploit... And one of them being, 'movies based on video games!'

Another great example that I personally feel could be adapted to serve as both a great movie as well the classic NES video game that it already is, is the classic video game, 'Blaster Master' (1988).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="468"] Blaster Master... A great game, could be a great movie![/caption]

Now I will admit to the fact that unless you were born before about, '2000', then most people will have almost certain have forgotten about this killer game (the truth is, I hate to say it, but this game did not get a whole hell of a lot of recognition when it first came out either...)

Never the less, this video game would make an amazing movies... The reasons are as follow:

1. I think there are periods in general where, in Hollywood there is just not the right group of talent available to make a truly amazing Science Fiction movie (This may be the reason why there was literally, 'YEARS' between each of the early Alien movies...) But I think with the success of, Prometheus (2012), that, the time to strike for a Science Fiction movie, with a great cast, is now.

2. I think to really do this movie right, that up until recently the technology to make the special effects to the caliber necessary for such a great movie was not really available until recently.

3. And since the story is fairly well established in the video game, even with the usual, 'Hollywood' changes, it would be almost impossible to destroy the story for this story.

But don't take it from me, check out this clip from the video game, and lets get started with pre-production!

http://youtu.be/Wakyt-KtoBU

Chris Hemsworth... An Unstoppable Power House

[caption id="attachment_2363" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Chris Hemsworth in the role that made him a super star![/caption]

You know, one of the things that I have learned about the entertainment industry as time has gone on, and the further and further away that I get from those entertainers that I watched growing up, go from being the hottest new artist in their respective industries, to being the seasoned veterans (and sadly a few of them beginning that slow decent toward retirement), that the entertainment industry is a revolving door for artists...

A great example of this for me is the heavy metal band, 'Metallica'... Now I have absolutely loved their music since I was in High School (they are personally my favorite band of all time!) But to me, with all of the images I have seen of them, they have always looked... well not always like they were in their 20s or anything, but they never looked like truly aged... And I happened to see a picture of them recently... And they didn't looks like really old or anything, but they no longer looked like youngish head bangers, but like older seasoned musicians!

With that said though, since the new millennium I have seen a lot of actors and actresses come in and replace those that were the hot new actors and actresses in Hollywood... And a lot of them have been pretty good... Their have also been a few that I will admit that have been pretty awful... But the problem is that non of them have struck me as truly spectacular... Until now!

[caption id="attachment_2364" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Chris Hemsworth as, 'Thor' with Robert Downey Jr. as, 'Iron Man' in, 'The Avengers'... A good example of an actor who got his start in the 80s and another in the new millennium...[/caption]

Chris Hemsworth (Thor)... The truth is, is one for one every movie I have ever seen of his, I have absolutely always loved... Rather it be, Thor (2011), or even, The Cabin In The Woods (2011), I have found that everything that he has done has been truly a powerhouse performance!

Now the truth is, is when I first saw, Thor, I wasn't a huge fan of the movie... But that wasn't because of his role in the movie, no in this case I found that Mr. Hemsworth really lead a very commanding performance in the role.. And I found him really believable as the sorta of rich kid... 'God' that kind of took his role as the heir to, 'Asgard' and his path from that in to the responsible eventual leader!

And I found that he has held a very commanding leadership role in almost all of the films that I had seen him in... And the truth is, is at one point I began to wonder if he could only do well in a leadership role, but then I saw, The Avengers (2012)... And boy was I wrong!

[caption id="attachment_2365" align="aligncenter" width="640"] 'Thor' (Chris Hemsworth' with some of the other, 'Avengers'[/caption]

You know I thought because he was only in those leadership roles, that he might end up either intentionally or unintentionally stealing the show, or stepping on the other casts toes... (so to speak), but the truth is, is I found that he did not do that at all, and that he worked very well in a role where there really was not a primary role, but that all of the main cast was as important as the other... And he really proved himself in that capacity as well!

So in the end, I have to say that I was absolutely truly impressed with this powerhouse actor, and if you haven't seen any of his work yet, then why not check it out, I found him to be a fun actor, and if you check out his work, then you might find the same thing as well!
For more information on his work, please enjoy these trailers:

http://youtu.be/NsIilFNNmkY

http://youtu.be/UGWhXL-ADGY

http://youtu.be/UoqlBHSePw0

Curious Goods: Where Are The Now

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Louise Robbey (as Micki Foster), Chris WIggins (as Jack Marshak), & John D. LeMay (As Ryan Dallion) in the classic Horror TV series, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'.[/caption]

On October 3rd 1987 producer Frank Mancuso Jr. (Friday The 13th Part 2) along with, Louise Robey (Raw Deal) as, 'Micki Foster'', Chris Wiggins (Murder By Decree) as, 'Jack Marshak', John D. LeMay (Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday) & R.G. Armstrong (Children Of The Corn) as, 'Louis Vendredi' would release to the world a little known show that would go on to be a cult favorite among the legions of fans that this show still draws today... That show being, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'!

Well folks, besides Frank Mancuso's role in the production of this series, this series is not really affiliated or connected to the series, as Jason has never made it in to the show, nor has there been much of any interchange between the show and the movies for the cast from the movies... Never the less, it is a truly kick ass show... And I thought you might like to know where the staff of, 'Curious Goods' (The base of operations in the show) are now!

1. Actress and Musician, Louise Robey would go on after the show to have a role in the 1992 thriller, Play Nice, in which she would play, Jill Crane/Rapunzel... Sadly though this seems to have spelled the retirement for Louise Robey from acting...
As of last report, Ms. Robey was still working on various photography and music projects.

[caption id="attachment_2279" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Louise Robey in a scene from, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'![/caption]

2. As for John D. LeMay... He ended his career on the show a little early, but his work on the show led him to be the only cast member to date to ever have appeared in a, 'Friday The 13th' movie, having appeared in, Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday (1993)...
Since his time working on the show, Actor John D. LeMay has continued to work his craft in both the big screen and the small screen as well as going behind the camera when he directed what appears to be the only episode of L'Chaim L.A. to date...

[caption id="attachment_2280" align="aligncenter" width="450"] John D. LeMay in a scene from, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'.[/caption]

3. Chris Wiggins (who played, 'Jack Marshak') already had an extensive acting resume when he was cast for 'Friday The 13th,' and continued on with his work, with his last credit to date being the role of, 'Cornelius' in the children's TV series, 'Babar and the Adventures of Badou' for it's 2010 - 2011 episode.

[caption id="attachment_2281" align="aligncenter" width="416"] Chris Wiggins in a scene from, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'![/caption]

4. Steve Monarque... He would end up playing, 'Johnny Ventura' a man who would later replace John D. LeMay's, 'Ryan Dallion' on the show, as some one that is on the same quest with Micki to find the cursed items.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="299"] Steve Monarque in a scene from, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'![/caption]

After the show, actor Steven Monarque has continued to act, but he has also branched out in to writing & directing on screen as well as on the stage, as a matter of fact his play, 'Free Country' ended up winning, 'Best Play' at the, 'Strawberry One Act Play Festival' and won best film at the, 'New York International Film Festival' in 2011! As of most recent, it looks like the founder of, 'MonaVision Films' is working on his latest writing and directing project called, 'Please Say A Command'... A short film starring: Jerry Stiller (Seinfeld), which is being slated for release in 2014!

5. Last but certain not least veteran actor,'R.G. Armstrong' (who played, ' Louis Vendredi' in the series). This guy had a prolific career before the release of this show, and continued to work steadily up til about 2006... Unfortunately though, it looks like in 2012 R.G. Armstrong passed away...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="642"] R.G. Armstrong in a scene from, 'Friday The 13th: The Series'![/caption]

In the end, this show may have ended years ago, but the characters and the actors that made this show a cult success will live on in the hearts and mind of the legions of fans that still exist to thus date!

http://youtu.be/EPgvcnp1F5g

5 Classic Horror Movie For The Fright Fan Home Alone On Christmas 2013

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="470"] This Santa Clause will give you a lot more then a, 'lump of coal' if you are naughty during Christmas![/caption]

Last year when I first started Hellinspace, I thought that I would start up a blog to help those in need for Christmas... Last year I mentioned 5 Science Fiction movies that I still believe would work really nicely for the Holidays (For more information, please click, 'Here')... Well now I thought one of the Blogs that I would do this year for Christmas would for, '5 Classic Horror Movies For The Fright Fan Home Alone On Christmas 2013'...

Admittedly... Horror movies generally are not something that one would recommend for a fun & festive holiday that is generally meant for mirth and merriment... Well the truth is, I think the old saying: 'Different Stroke For Different Blokes' definitely applies here!

What I mean by that, (and this is for those non-fright fiends that maybe looking for a good gift for the fright fans in their lives...) But horror movies generally truly do have some great horror movies that have been released that are geared around Christmas... And if you are a fan of horror (or are just looking for a solid Christmas present for one), then check this out... I think you might like it!

Number 5: Silent Night (2012).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Silent Night... A new entry, but one that deserves its time to shine![/caption]

For more information on this movie, please enjoy this trailer for: Silent Night (2012):

http://youtu.be/RhLw3GmHQqA

Number 4: Jack Frost (1997).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] This Snowman wants to play...[/caption]

For more information on this movie, please enjoy this trailer for: Jack Frost (1997):

http://youtu.be/ev0NkYfkgYE

Number 3: Silent Night Deadly Night 2 (1987).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Hey... It is the Anti-Fred Claus![/caption]

For more information on this movie, please enjoy this trailer for: Silent Night Deadly Night 2 (1987):

http://youtu.be/61l1jc4PXao

Number 2: Christmas Evil (1980).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="340"] Look mommy, I got a kitchen knife for Christmas![/caption]

For more information on this movie, please enjoy this trailer for: Christmas Evil (1980):

http://youtu.be/_uAMtjDXXhs

Number 1: Black Christmas (1974).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] I reckon this guy is bringing them some, 'Yule Tide Fear' this Christmas![/caption]

For more information on this movie, please enjoy this trailer for: Black Christmas (1974):

http://youtu.be/4gNdplqmCcQ

There are a ton of great Holiday horror movies out there, but for this year, I do believe that this is a good lot of movies, with some old, and some new, but hopefully there is something for everyone on this list, and I hope this'll help... And hey, from the Hellinspace team, to all you fright fiends out there, Merry Christmas!

Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignright" width="220"] Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils[/caption]

A little over a year ago I first came to discover that Producers had been making horror movies surrounding specific elements in history.... What I mean by that for example is the movie, Shock Waves (1977)... Now this movie is a pretty awesome movie that told the story of how a group of people wound up on an Island that is not just home to a former Nazi, but a Scientist from Nazi Germany that had actually created true to form Nazi Zombies!

I have to admit that after seeing that movie I found that the concept of Nazi Zombies in horror movies were pretty awesome and have since tried to find similar movies to enjoy! Since then I have also come to see the movie Bloodstorm (2012)...

Definitely a lesser addition to the concept of the Nazi Zombie movies, but I also came to discover a different type of horror movie that has elements of history in it, that is movies having to do with Abraham Lincoln going to war with the supernatural originally just in the movie, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)...

Now I haven't seen it yet, but it does appear to be a rather fascinating movie... I mean you can't go wrong with Abraham Lincoln kicking Vampire butt! The reason that I mention all of this is because I just recently saw a movie that incorporates what I have mentioned in an awesomely B Movie sort of way called, Abraham Lincoln Vs. Zombies (2012).

Written by: Karl T. Hirsch (Green), J. Lauren Proctor (Gen) and Directed by: Richard Schenkman (The Man From Earth). Starring: Bill Oberst Jr. (Take This Lollipop), Jason Vail (Gut), Jason Hughley (Broken Angel), Eric Galloway (Distraction), Ronald Ogden (Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell), Shane Gray (Savannah), Christopher Marrone (The Escapist), Don McGraw (Coma), Baby Norman (The Miracle), Hannah Bryan (Where Strippers Go To Die) and Canon Kuipers (Blood Of Man).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Abraham Lincoln (Bill Oberst Jr.) and his secret service detail as they are heading off to fight against the Zombie Apocalypse![/caption]

Now the truth is, is if you are looking for an A list horror movie, then you are looking in the wrong place... I mean it is almost impossible to make a historic epic as a horror movie... Never the less this movie is pretty awesome and tells the story of how a young Abraham Lincoln is tasked with taking care of a Zombie that had effectively killed his father... When he grows up and becomes President of the United States, and toward the tale end of the Civil War, Lincoln, (Oberst) gets a report from one of his Soldiers, that a special mission that he had sent 30 Soldiers on had not only failed, but the man that had made it back actually had come back claiming that his men had been killed by the dead...

Lincoln went to check it out, and came face to face with a Zombie... After killing the Zombie though, he gets a Secret Service detail and sets off for the Fort where the mission that brought back the man who had fought off the Zombie horde had original been sent! Once Lincoln and his men arrive though, they will be faced to face with a battle of epic proportions that will bring together some of histories most well remembered men, (including: Teddy Roosevelt (Kuipers), Pat Garrett (Marrone), General Stonewall Jackson (McGraw), and John Wilkes Booth (Vail).) If these historical legends can't win the day, then this 19th Century Zombie apocalypse may destroy the world!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ole honest Abe as he is fighting off the Zombie Apocalypse![/caption]

In the end, it is true, if you are not a fan of B Movies, then chances are that you probably won't like it... I mean this movie has all of the great cheesy one liners of a B Movie. It also had some great B Movie talent, but the one thing above all else that I am really happy to see, is that this movie has what I would consider to be some A list special effects! So if you are a fan of B Movies (that have A list movie potential), or would just like to see historical figures kicking Zombie butt, than I think you might like this one... I did!

Prometheus (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_385" align="alignright" width="353"] Official Score = 2 Devils[/caption]

In history there has been few confirmed confusingly created movies… A couple of examples of this are as follows:

For many years there had been different attempts to create a great crossover movie between Jason Voorhees (of the, ‘Friday The 13th’ franchise fame) and Freddy Krueger (of the, ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ franchise fame), but it wasn't until New Line released, Freddy Vs. Jason (2003) that we saw the first and only studio sanctioned crossover of two of Hollywood’s greatest villains! (There has been some loose attempts to create Ash from, ‘The Evil Dead’ series as a crossover with both, ‘Jason’ & ‘Michael Myers’, as well as Leatherface mixing it up with some of these guys in print (as a matter of fact I have heard of a script that had been created to have Ash going to war against Jason, but nothing ever came to fruition on that.)

Another great example of this would be Indiana Jones part 4… Before George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws) came out with, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008), there had been many different but unfortunately failed attempts since, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, came out in 1989.

And the next example I have for you is the movie, Prometheus (2012). Now before I go in to this movie let me give you a little background on the series as whole…

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Some of the crew of the, 'Prometheus' as they are investigating the history of humanity on one of the Aliens planets![/caption]

Prometheus is a prequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece, ‘Alien’. Now this movie (obviously of course with Ghostbusters as well) helped to catapult Sigourney Weaver (Ghostbusters) in to legendary status in the horror community (what with having done the first 4 Alien movies (as well as all of the currently released Ghostbuster movies…)

Then oddly enough, the producers or whomever decided to take the series in a whole different direction and had the movie more centralized around the Xenomorphs (the aliens from the, ‘Alien’ movie series) and the Predators from the movie, ‘Predator’ movie series and the war that they seemed to wage against each other in the, ‘Alien Vs. Predator’ movie series!

Fortunately though we were given the opportunity to go back to the classic original series (how the original series connects with the Alien Vs. Predator series… I don’t know, but some times you just have to take the good with the bad and admit that the Alien series is as good now as it was when it was first released over 30 years ago!

As for Prometheus though… This movie (which brought Ridley Scott back to the movie series) and which starred Noomi Rapace (The Girl With Dragon Tattoo), Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Logan Marshall-Green (Devil), Charlize Theron (Monster), Idris Elba (Janek), Guy Pierce (L.A. Confidential), does bring us back to the classic original series… But instead of starting where the original left off, Prometheus, attempts to explain how the story of how the, ‘Xenomorphs’ and humanity actually got in to contact initially with each other…

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The expedition team as they investigate the Alien outpost![/caption]

You see this movie posits the idea that mankind had been genetically engineered by a significantly more advanced race, and when evidence of where these Aliens might be, the Scientists who make the discovery ultimately decide to utilize the aide of Peter Weyland (Pierce) the ailing founder of the eventually dreaded, ‘Company’, ‘Weyland-Yutani Corporation’ (this company would play a major role in some ways for bringing Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) and the Xenomorphs together in the first 2 Alien movies)

Anyway, ultimately once the mission is under way and the crew have made it to the planet that may help to explain humanities origins, they discover a threat that is significantly worse than they could have ever imagined when they discover not only the origins of mankind, but the origins of the Alien species that would go on to make Ripley’s life a living hell centuries later!

Now I really enjoyed this movie (this is one of my favorite movie series), but the reality, is that chronologically you would have to do away with the Alien Vs. Predator movie series for this movie to make sense. Also… This movie does give insight in to where the Xenomorphs came from (just not why the face huggers are so big, and what happened to those little worm Aliens that were so popular in the original Alien series… Also there appears to be little to no correlation as to the Companies knowledge of the first mission (You would think with how the first mission turned out that they would have instructed the, ‘Nostromo’ crew a little better in how to capture the, ‘Xenomorph’ in Ripley’s time.

But I will admit that despite the plot holes in this movie, it is a fun one and if you are a fan of the series, then it is definitely worth owning, and if you are looking for a fun exciting Sci-fi movie to really sink your teeth in to, then this is certainly one of them!

http://youtu.be/sftuxbvGwiU

The Hunger Games (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

In the new millennium there has been several really fun Science Fiction and Horror movies that have come out, a few good examples of course being Rob Zombie's remake of the classic John Carpenter movie, 'Halloween', another one being, the movie, Prometheus (2012)...

There are others and the truth is, is that these movies were exciting and fun to watch, but there has been very few truly original movies that have come out in the new millennium that have been truly exciting! (I don't know if you notice this, but both of the movies that I have mentioned above happen to be connected with series that have become cinematic legends in their own right!)

With that in mind though, 2012 I have to say was a real banner year for the release of movies in general (what with having released such awesome movies as, 'Prometheus', 'The Avengers', and, 'Dark Knight Rises' (to name a few)... But there was one movie that I really wanted to see when it was in the theater, but never got to see on the big screen, (I still wish I was able to see this movie on the big screen, but am glad that I was able to catch up with it on the small screen,) that movie being, The Hunger Games (2012)!

Written by: Gary Ross (Big), Suzanne Collins (Ticket Out) and Directed by: Gary Ross. Starring: Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class), Josh Hutcherson (American Splendor), Liam Hemsworth (Knowing), Stanley Tucci (The Terminal), Wes Bentley (P2), Willow Shields (Beyond The Blackboard), Elizabeth Banks (The 40 Year Old Virgin), Woody Harrelson (Zombieland), Lenny Kravitz (Bad Boys 2) & Amandla Stenberg (Colombiana).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she is kicking ass in, 'The Hunger Games' (2012)[/caption]

What was the best part of this movie? I could say that it was the acting, (the truth is, is that the purity, and love, yet shocking insurmountable strength in a particularly cruel and violently unfair world that Jennifer Lawrence brought to the role of Katniss Everdeen was to say the least, so well done, that I can honestly say that I haven't seen that level of talent in a relatively newish actress, since I saw Jennifer Love-Hewitt (Can't Hardly Wait) in the first, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' movie, or Amy Steele in, Friday The 13th Part 2 (1981), or even Carrie Henn (Aliens) in the role of, 'Newt' in Aliens!

I could say that the special effects were the best part of the movie... (the truth is, is that even though the special effects in this movie were pretty spectacular, they actually were not the best part of the movie!)

The best part of this movie was the story! This movie was amazingly well written (it actually is based on a series of books of the same name, that was written by Suzanne Collins!) This movie tells the story of how in the future, the world will become a sort of bizarre dystopian world that is controlled by a sort of dictatorship government called, 'Panem', at one point this government was in danger when the various districts rebelled against the central government (a district appears to be the sort of heavily sectioned state/provinces of Panem.)

After the government puts down this rebellion (and what started as a way of punishing the districts), the central government created the, 'Hunger Games'
Now the hunger games is a game in which each district sends one young boy and one young girl (as tribute) to the Capitol, where they are trained to fight and then are pitted against each other in a fight to the death!

Now for this year Katniss Everdeen's little sister, 'Primrose' (Shields) is chosen as one of the tributes to which Katniss decides to volunteer to go in her stead... This bring a hunger games that will begin a change in their world permanently!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="250"] This, 'Hunger Games' will be a Hunger Games that no one will ever forget![/caption]

In the end, this movie is freakin awesome! And it looks like Hunger Games 2 is set to be released on November 22nd of this year, (this one I won't be missing on the big screen!)

http://youtu.be/SMGRhAEn6K0

Looper (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

Last year really kind of helped bring the faith back to me in the future of the movie industry! I mean there was so many good ones out there, 'The Dark Knight Rises', being one of them as well as, 'Safe' being another one as well!

And for the first time in years I had really become excited about going to the theater again (I hadn't really spent that much time at the theater for the last few years, since most of the movies that I had seen in theaters were pretty awful and not worth the prices!)

Unfortunately though there was a series of movies that I had missed out on going to see in the movie theater last year, and one of them was Looper (2012)!

Written & Directed by: Rian Johnson (Brick). Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises), Bruce Willis (The Fifth Element), Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau), Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine), Jeff Daniels (Speed), Pierce Gangnon (The Crazies), Qing Xu (The Founding Of A Republic) & Garrett Dillahunt (The Last House On The Left).

I was glad that I could say that I had seen this movie though recently on demand though...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"] You might want to start making some changes to your life if you find yourself being held at gun point by yourself![/caption]

You see Rian Johnson did a great job in setting up a world where your lead character (played as younger man by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and as an older man by Bruce Willis), who is a low life who works for the mob of the future (literally) as a hit man who kills people sent back from the future to his time, and what would happen if his final mark was... Himself!

I also liked the duality of forces between his younger version, who wanted to live his mostly isolated semi self involved life, and his older self who at this point is willing to do what ever it takes to destroy the man that destroyed the happy existence that he had waited all his life to achieve!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he waits to kill his next, 'mark'![/caption]

The next thing that I have to say that I also really liked is the personal (albeit unintentional) life changing that the main character (Joe) goes through, as he not only tries to get his life back, but also tries to protect a single mother and her child from... Well basically himself!

 In the end, this movie is a surprisingly great time, and reminded me of how much I enjoyed Sci-Fi/Action movies of the 1990s... And if you give it a try, you might as well!

http://youtu.be/eI3ju17W070

Dead Season (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_390" align="alignright" width="178"] Official Score = 1 Devil[/caption]

Believe it or not, it is very rare that I see in what my opinion would be considered a bad Zombie movie...

The truth is, is that because of that fact that some might say that I am biased in favor of those types of horror movies, well the truth is, is that as far as the super natural monster movie goes, Zombie movies generally do tend to be my favorite... That said, I am not biased... The reason being is that I have seen bad Zombie movies!

Being such a fan of Zombie movies like myself, I am saddened to say it, but it is true, I mean, I have seen some Zombie movies that made it almost impossible to suspend my disbelief, I have seen Zombie movies where the acting was utterly disgustingly bad, I have seen some with stories that were so bad that the writers of the movie should be ashamed of themselves... I have seen some where the the special effects were so bad that me being a B movie fan (a type of movie that the mainstream would consider to have bad special effects,) still thought the special effects were horrible!

I have seen some that have all of those elements, and I have seen some that have some of those elements as well... And I hate to say it, but Dead Season (2012) just happens to be one of those movies that have the majority of them in some capacity...

Written by: Joshua Klausner (Psycho Sleepover), Loren Semmens (Resurgent) and Directed by: Adam Deyoe (Yeti: A Love Story). Starring: Scott Peat (Transformers), Marissa Merrill (Photographic), Corsica Wilson (Veer!) & James C. Burns (Coldwater).

Dead Season tells the story of how after a viral outbreak around the world brings the dead back to life, and ends civilization on planet Earth, 2 survivors by the name of, 'Elvis' (Peat) and, 'Tweeter' (Merrill) along with a boy (who doesn't make it) head down to Miami together to pick up a boat that Elvis had chartered while traveling from Pittsburgh...

Once the three make it on to the boat and set sail though for the Island that is supposed to be their salvation, they learn that there is a Zombie on the board that ends up poisoning the kid before either Tweeter or Elvis can kill the Zombie (which means that Elvis ends up killing both the boy and the Zombie).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Tweeter (Marissa Merrill) & Elvis (Scott Peat) as they escape from the their boat in the hopes of finding salvation![/caption]

Once Tweeter and Elvis make it to the island though, they are met with a group of para-military survivors who immediately welcome them in to their community...

Of course though Tweeter already takes an immediate dislike to the inhabitants of the community, while Elvis seems to fit right in... So as the two friends begin to take different paths in regards to their new lives on the supposedly, 'bombed out' Island, of course it will be up to the Zombies to bring them closer together and to help motivate them to make it to safety!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Tweeter is not exactly happy with her new neighbors![/caption]

The things that I did like about this movie are as follows:

1. I thought the special effects (i,e. The Zombies attacks and what not) were pretty on the ball.

2. For the most part I liked most of the acting in this movie as well.

3. I also wanted to say that I found the concept that the humans on this Island's food source was the un-infected humans that they killed... (I know it is morbid to mention, especially considering that cannibalism is just weird and wrong, but it is a purely original take that I have seen in Zombie Apocalypse movies!)

4. Lastly I thought that in some ways this movie was a nice homage to George A. Romero's zombie movies...

Now the bad part is that I didn't like:

1. Marissa Merrill in this movie (her look screamed that she seemed to either hate or be disgusted with just about everything and everyone in the movie).

2. Also the Island that they were supposed to have swam to that has the new human civilization on it is supposed to have been a gunnery range that was used by the United States Navy (before the end of the world), and supposedly was a bombed out crater that had the Navy having shot all sorts of missiles, bombs, (including nuclear weapons on it)... the problem is, is that you can't make an Island become a bombed out crater, if it has tons of apparently well maintained buildings on it, and a few pieces of trash on it...

3. Now I mentioned above that I thought that this in some extent was a good homage to George A. Romero's zombie movies, and I did for the reasons above, but the truth is, is that I don't mind a fresh take brought to an old idea, but I don't like people who just try to re-dress old movies to make them look like new... Which is what this one did and here is what I am talking about.

A: The new civilization collapses after the main stars show up (i,e... 28 Days Later)

B: The new civilization mostly comprises of lazy military survivors, to the point where some of them almost seem to dress up like some of the military officers from, Day Of The Dead (1985).

4. The next thing that I wanted to mention here is the fact that I did kind of consider that this movie was a little to art house for my tastes, and with all of the scenes where it was just quiet music with the cast doing something after awhile got kind of annoying.

5. The last thing that I wanted to mention was the introduction of worthless characters in the new civilization whose only value in the whole movie is that they get eaten at the end of the movie.

In the end, this movie is not a great one, it has it's moments, but it is definitely not one that I would consider putting in my collection!

http://youtu.be/d3zClfnTJqE

Sand Sharks (2011) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignright" width="220"] Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils[/caption]

Have you ever seen a movie that was so bad that it was good, and then begin to wonder if that had been the intention of the crew that produced said movie? I have… and you want to know what? If you have the right group of decent and crummy actors, a totally ridiculous plot that is both far-fetched but fun, and great special effects, then you got a truly amazing ‘As they say’ B-Movie!

And that is what Sand Sharks (2012) truly is!

Written by: Cameron Larson (Xtinction: Predator X), Joe Benkis (Grizzly Flats) and Directed by: Mark Atkins (Princess Of Mars). Starring: Corrin Nemic (The Stand), Brooke Hogan (Brooke Knows Best), Veronica Lee Evigan (Holiday In Handcuffs), Eric Scott Woods (Jonah Hex), Edgar Allan Poe (Cape Fear), Robert Pike Daniel (Half-Caste), Delpaneaux Wills (Dark Tower), Jack Kennedy (The Last Vital), and Andrea Pineda (Guns, Girls And Gambling).

Now what I mean by the above, is that you take a group of actors and actresses, and then you throw them in a movie that could be said to be based on Tremors (1990), and Jaws (1975), and you throw in some pretty mediocre, but still better then to be expected special effects and you got some real gold… And that is pretty much what this movie is all about!

You see this movie tells the story of Jimmy Green (Nemec) whom after arriving back on the island that he grew up on, to start a festival that will catapult him to the financial top, a scourge comes to that small island!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jimmy Green (Corin Nemec) with his assistant, is about to regret trying to produce a show on his home Island![/caption]

What is this scourge? Well it is, a Shark that can swim in the sand! Now at first no one believes it, (I mean Sharks don’t swim in the sand), but as the death toll begins to mount, a group of people finally end up accidentally taking out this menace when it kills its final victim, it ends up getting electrocuted to death!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="620"] These are some unhappy party goers[/caption]

Now with the Shark dead, the show can go on… and Jimmy throws the bash of the century! But is that the last this small community will ever hear from these dreaded Sand Sharks? Or is it just a blood bath waiting to happen?

Ultimately this movie is so awesomely bad, and such a close remake to Jaws (1975), that this movie has its own version of Jaws’ Sheriff Brody, Hooper and even Captain Quint!

Another thing that I thought that I would mention (and this one is a rare treat when you get to see it,) but sometimes in B Movies, the B Actors or Actresses who are either the children of A list talent (as is the case with Renee Estevez (Sleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers) who is an amazing B Movie starlet, and daughter of legendary actor Martin Sheen (Firestarter),) or the B Movie Actor or Actress who is the sibling of an A list actor (as is the case with Sylvester Stallone’s B Movie brother, ‘Frank’) come together to do something truly spectacularly cheesy! (as is the case with Brooke Hogan (Hulk Hogan’s daughter), and Vanessa Lee Evigan (Greg Evigan’s daughter) who both star in this movie together!

In the end though I am going to be honest and say that if you’re looking for more than just a pretty amusingly, ‘B’ Horror movie spoof, then this movie is probably not the movie for you, but if you like B Movies, and are not expecting anything more than pure cheesy brilliance , then you might like this one!

http://youtu.be/6TShf6gp7N4

Bloodstorm (2012) - Movie Review

[caption id="attachment_390" align="alignright" width="178"] Official Score = 1 Devil[/caption]

Since as far back as I can remember, I have always been a fan of history (and more directly, ‘Military History’,) so it comes as no surprise that at the times that I can, that being able to combine my love of history with movies (and more directly with horror movies as is the case with this movie) that I should be happy right?

I mean there are a lot of truly fantastic war/military movies out there that people really enjoy… A couple of examples of this of course being:

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

2. Kelly’s Heroes (1970)

3. The Eagle (2011)

And for the more applicable to this website:

1. The Final Countdown (1980)

2. American Battleship (2012)

That’s just a few examples of some of the truly great war/military movies that have come out in the small screen and the large screen…. In this case though I thought that I would discuss the movie, Bloodstorm (2012)…

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="411"] this crusty old Nazi as he is getting a tune up with new body parts![/caption]

Have you ever seen a movie that could most aptly be the truest definition of a, ‘Bad Movie’? I've come to realize that seldom have people seen a truly, ‘bad’ movie… I mean sure there have been movies that people didn't like, and sure there has been movies that people have not been fans of, but how many people can honestly say, ‘I have seen a movie that can be categorically classified as a, ‘Bad’ movie?’

Don’t get me wrong, all of what is considered to be a, ‘bad movie’ is all a matter of conjecture, and to those who think a certain movie is categorically a, ‘bad’ movie, then I am sure that it is!

For me, I have seen more than my fair share of crummy movies all the way through, but the truth is, is I have only seen a very small amount of movies that I think universally would be considered to be a, ‘bad’ movie…

Now I think that before I go on that I should probably define what I am certain you would agree a universally, ‘bad’ movie is:

1. First off a bad movie is where the acting, pretty much from everyone is horrible.

2. Where the story is shockingly bad.

3. When you begin to wonder if, ‘Alan Smithee’ directed the movie.

4. And lastly, whether or not the special effects are good or bad, but actually make the movie worse to watch…

Now, with all of this in mind, I would say that, Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959) no longer counts (I mean that movie is so classic, that at this point it has somewhat of a cult following!) Another one that I saw that was truly a, ‘bad’ movie was, Horror House On Highway 5 (1985), (this movie was so deplorable that the blood looked like it was grape soda, and for at least a quarter of the movie, one of the lead characters is walking around with a rake in his head! The latest one that I have seen is, Bloodstorm (2012)…

Now I heard about this movie a while ago and thought that it sounded like it might be a fun campy little Nazi/Zombie B Movie… Boy was I wrong!

Directed by: Joseph J. Lawson (Red Tails) and Starring: Dominique Swain (Face/Off), Jake Busey (Starship Troopers), Joshua Michael Allen (Dog-Eared), Christopher Karl Johnson (Lars), James Maxwell Young (Lost Dolls), Lilan Bowden (Zombie Apocalypse), Marlene Okner (Maxie’s Girl), Adam Burch (Making Friends), Maria Pallas (The Wailer 3), Abderrahim Halaimia (The Invocation), Trevor Kuhn (The Four-Faced Liar), Andre Tenerelli (Growth), Keith Allan Wilber.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="620"] The modern day 3rd Reich... the last Army group made up of spare parts from victims that make it to their final base![/caption]

I thought that this movie would be great I mean, Bloodstorm, the name alone intonates that this is going to be an awesome B movie right?

You see this movie, which tells the tale of how an American research team runs up against the last bastion of the Nazi Party in Antarctica, only to discover that they are more or less a group of Zombie-esque remnants of SS Soldiers that Dr. Josef Mengele (Karl Johnson) has kept alive, and as he continues to attempts to keep the last of Hitler’s soldiers alive long enough to resurrect Hitler and reclaim the Third Reich, for their new, Fourth Reich, he will need a continuous re-supply of body parts, but how does he get them?

Well one of the American Arctic Researchers leads his teams down to the center of the Earth where they will each one end up being used as, ‘spare parts’ so that the Nazi War Machine can re-start, and a re-animated cyborg, ‘Hitler’ (that looks like the, ‘Iron Giant’ with a man’s head on top of it), can come back to the surface of the planet and wreak vengeance on the world that had turned their backs on the Nazi’s decades ago!

In the end definitely not worth it…

http://youtu.be/4BCxlI6PgE8