Terrifier 3 Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Five years after Sienna killed Art the Clown on Halloween, he returns to torment Sienna and her family at Christmas.

Review: Upfront, "Terrifier 3" is ballsier, gorier, and funnier than part 2 which should make any fan of this franchise happy. Art goes on a huge rampage, racking up a considerable body count, all the while the film delivers the goods and then some. However, does this serve as the alluded "Empire Strikes Back" for this series? The answer is: kinda. All hope does seem lost for our dear Sienna, but I think audiences can see where the story is probably heading. Now, with that said, I do still think part 2 is the superior entry...only by a hair. Finally, this should count as a Christmas horror movie, but I'd bet money part 4 will be back to Halloween since parts 1, 2, and "All Hallows' Eve" were all Halloween-centric.

Let's be honest, what does everyone want from this film? CARNAGE CANDY! The kills are nuts, frequent, and creative--the gore-hounds will be happily fed needless to say. From the opening sequence to the final fight, you will see one set piece after another in relentless fashion that makes the longer run time worth it compared to part 2. Speaking of the final fight...this was extremely satisfying with a sword vs. chainsaw clash and Sienna kicking some major ass after the severe abuse she takes this time around. As with part 2, I hope your favorite color is red, because you will be seeing a whole lot of it by the time the credits roll.

Where I start to have mixed feelings for part 3 is with the story and how some ideas were handled. Story beats are still at breadcrumb levels, with only hints as to what is the main goal of Art and the demon. We do know the demon has switched from taking the form of one of Art's victims to possessing Victoria. We also learn the demon does want to possess Sienna, for unknown reasons, which does explain what was happening in part 2 with the water tank she imagined drowning in. Furthermore, the shorts from "All Hallows' Eve" are going to be integrated into the ongoing story judging from the ending.

What doesn't work for me is the time jump of 5 years. It would have worked if Art was regenerating from just a head with the help of the demon. Instead, Art and the demon hibernate for no discernible reason after Art easily plops his head right back on his body. Not only does this take away from the awesome defeat of part 2, it makes the birthing of the head scene nonsensical. And having Art and the demon only wake up after being disturbed makes their schemes seem stupid, because what if no one ever woke them?! I'm okay with the time skip as a concept to bring the actors closer to their real ages, but it felt gimmicky to use Christmas as a setting. As such, no one is questioning why a clown-Santa is running around? Don't get me wrong, it is humorous to see, yet it works better in the Halloween setting where Art can blend in seamlessly. There are other nitpicks I have, but the final big complaint that I hear from others--and I will explain my stance later--is the off-screen death of Jonathan. This is an unacceptable slap in the face if it's not a ruse by the writer/director, Damien Leone. Guess we'll see.

Overall, "Terrfier 3" is a fun, outlandishly goofy slasher that gives the audience exactly what they're asking for with memorable kills and plenty of 'oh shit' moments. David Howard Thornton is fantastically evil as Art, and you know I love the luscious Lauren LaVera as Sienna--fusing the final girl/chosen one archetypes into one. Of course, this isn't the kind of movie for everyone--not even all horror fans--but you have to give credit where credit is due in successfully establishing this generation's Jason or Freddy. That ain't no easy feat. So check this out now or wait for Christmas and truly get into the spirit!

Notable Moment: When Art overhears the Mia character talking about him. His jokey reactions to her are hilarious especially when he smells himself and gets pissed when she says she wouldn't fuck him. Priceless.

Final Rating: 6/10

Bonus: Here is my speculation at where part 4 will go: the drawing of Sienna as the battle angel holding a head from part 2 will come true. I think most of us assumed that was meant to be Art's head in a symbolic sense, but, instead, I think it will be literal. That devil-looking head is probably the true form of the demon which connects to "The Ninth Circle" segment from "All Hallows' Eve" and is a book the chick is reading at the end of part 3. Sienna will gain actual armor to become the battle angel instead of the cosplay thing she made. This armor will be made from the same magic material of the sword--being forged possibly in hell as we see that blacksmith demon on a chain held by...an angel(?). And, yes, I believe this will all take place on a different Halloween night...maybe back at the Terrifier in that amusement park.

Jonathan will be revealed to still be alive since the only proof he was dead was Victoria-demon having his glasses. Well, the last time we saw Jonathan he had his glasses off. Art and the demon probably tried to kill him and he ran away without the glasses. Gabbie will be possessed by the demon and have Sienna's sword. Sienna will be stuck trying to figure out a way to save Gabbie without killing her. We will probably finally learn what really happened with the dad, why they want to possess Sienna, and how Art connects to everything.

Let me know what you think will happen or if you think I'm on the right track.

Late Night with the Devil Review

 

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: During a Halloween special, a late show host brings on an allegedly possessed girl as a guest only for things to go predictably wrong.

Review: Part homage to late night television and part throwback to '70s horror, "Late Night with the Devil" is like a breath of fresh air. Of course, this idea of a lost episode, or discovered footage, is nothing new to the genre at this point, however, "Late Night" is able to work with its setting in an incredible, self-contained way. In particular, the acting sells the scenario with the right mannerisms and attention to detail. The only complaints I have are in regard to a lackluster ending, and unnecessary explanations which would have worked better if kept vague.

What works so remarkably well here is the presentation of the late show itself. Ignoring the fake TV network, the rest of the production feels believable to the time without coming off as an overly cliched interpretation of the '70s; they could have hammed it up big time, but things are grounded in the plausible. Furthermore, the host, Jack Delroy, has that right level of charm, humor, and physicality to feel possible. David Dastmalchian nails the manner of speaking and self-deprecating stylings of the era perfectly; Mr. Dastmalchian deserves extra credit for carrying this film on his back.

For the scares, this movie pays tribute to the popularity of religious horror at the time like "The Exorcist" and "The Omen." Obviously, the best parts are when things go wrong and everyone is dying in gruesome ways. The possessed girl, named Lilly, is fantastic since her dialogue always has these ominous hints of what is to come; her antics alone help to build a ton of tension. You'd think the fodder characters would be on the flimsy side, but, surprisingly, they're also fun and interesting especially the skeptic. The banter and character interactions help to sell this fake footage as real all the better.

Where I do think the film falters most is the ending which connects back to the opening segment giving too much away too soon. Straight up, the hallucinations, or whatever it was supposed to be that Jack experiences, come off goofier than it should. The guy in the owl suit was actually outright stupid. I get that there was supposed to be this makeshift connection to Bohemian Grove (which is a whole different rabbit hole unto itself), but the tone was off; I wanted more of a 70's-esque vision of hell or something otherworldly. The idea that the wife's ghost was helping him is left ambiguous as it's unclear whether she was trying to help Jack or it's all manifested by the demon. Rather than explaining all these things about Jack basically selling his soul or his wife dying due to some kind of curse or whatever, these plot points, and many others, could have been told in passing to keep the viewer guessing. In fact, many of these story beats end up being repeated throughout the movie anyway defeating the purpose altogether. Things should have been kept to a simple setup for the show and the host's ratings--why he would pull this stunt in the first place. It's as if the opening narration was adjusted to help audiences that couldn't pay attention or something.

With all things taken into consideration, "Late Night with the Devil" is awesome, offering something new to the Halloween horror scene. It's more than that though--the retro style is a huge plus accompanied by topnotch acting from the lead and supporting roles. The general production and attention to detail is to be applauded, and I enjoyed the way the lighthearted moments of the fake TV show contrast with the dark turn the story takes. While the ending can come off as a whiff after so many home runs, I don't think that hurts the final impression. This is definitely worth watching this, or any, October 31st.

Notable Moment: When the demon fully emerges from Lilly and goes on a murderous rampage. It's a fantastic sequence all around that serves as a satisfying reveal to all the build up.

Final Rating: 6.5/10

Carved (2024) Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Zany antics ensue when a mutant pumpkin gains sentience and goes on a killing spree.

Review: What the hell was this shit? This was like an edgy Disney channel movie in the worst of ways. You'd think a goofy plot about a killer pumpkin would leave itself open for fun hi-jinks, but, instead, "Carved" is painfully boring. The running time felt like an eternity, even though it's relatively short, and I was starting to doze off a few times. Probably the most egregious aspect is that the movie was trying so hard to be funny and failing epically.

There are a lot of scenarios you could imagine happening with a killer pumpkin--creative deaths or set pieces to work with. Oh no, no. Instead, let's have the characters spend half the movie hiding in one location after another as they discuss their cornball drama. Yes, thank you. Worse, everyone pretty much dies the same way with either their head ripped off or impaled by the pumpkin tentacles. I kept thinking the pumpkin would grow bigger or further mutate to up the ante. Nope. Maybe there will be an epic final fight where the monster is fully unleashed? Nah, it is simply, unceremoniously shoved into some kind of mulcher quite easily. Realistically this creature could have been killed at any point which further makes the story pointless and contrived.

Are there positives? Sure, I guess. While I found the humor and tone way off, I can appreciate the filmmakers trying to have fun with the material. The core concept, while not original, offers up something beyond a masked killer or ghost associated with Halloween horror. Um, some of the deaths were neat I suppose. The film was competently put together. Uh, I think that's all I got.

I'm trying to figure out who the audience would be for this kind of trash. The comedy style, mixed with with teen, cheesy main characters, creates this CW-esque lameness that doesn't blend well with the gore. There weren't even any good puns or a smashing pumpkins joke or anything! Come on, dude, killing me here. I'm sure there will be others out there that can appreciate the campy nature of this movie, but I just kept thinking this was absolutely fucking retarded.

Notable Moment: You'd think a movie about a killer pumpkin would have some crazy kills or scenes but nope. I suppose the best is when the reporter gets decapitated and his head put on a scarecrow.

Final Rating: 4/10

Dark Harvest Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Every Halloween the boys in a small town must kill a supernatural creature before midnight or else a great calamity will befall everyone.

Review: "Dark Harvest" is the kind of movie that has a cool premise and fantastic visuals--invoking vibes of "The Hunger Games" meets "Lord of the Flies." Unfortunately, this is also the kind of story that only works if you don't think about the internal logistics of the universe. The sheer, unbridled levels of shenanigans to the Swiss-cheese plot is going to cause an aneurysm for a lot of viewers. Despite the flaws, I can see this becoming something of a cult classic as the years roll by especially considering it was based on an acclaimed book. In this instance, I didn't read the book so, perhaps, answers were provided in that iteration?

What works? The intrigue behind this Sawtooth Jack character that the boys have to kill each year is captivating. I like the effects and looks of the creature, but the twist regarding his identity is pretty clear if you understand that this genre is young adult all the way; and believe me, that YA tone is dripping from every scene for better or worse. Regardless, the pacing is on point, the order in which characters died genuinely surprised me, and the actors are decent enough. The best parts for me were the visuals and cinematography--that Halloween-vibe was captured respectably well. Overall, there is a lot to love and appreciate within the production, design, and aesthetics.

So what isn't working? We get so little backstory and motivation for everything that it becomes mindless. How or why did anything like this even begin? To grow some damn corn?! Trust me, you don't need supernatural rituals to do that. There are hints of this almost cult-like group controlling the town, but even if they literally used magic to create this ritual, how does anything work on a day to day basis? They act like this town is isolated from the world yet they are fully stocked with Coke, candy, and whatever essential food and supplies you'd find anywhere. I'm not going to list the--no exaggeration--hundreds of questions I could ask about the hows and whys of it all. There are things like what stops anyone from leaving on foot or going postal, so to speak, or any kind of nonsense like why reward Corvettes and structure the town in a poor/rich dynamic when they're seemingly using magic or supernatural means to bring them fortune? I mean, you honestly want me to believe one cop and a farmer are literally all that stands between this ritual coming undone every year?! Look, I've watched God knows how many movies, and have reviewed getting close to 900 on this blog, but few films have left me with as many questions as this one. It hurts--BIG TIME--the viewing experience unless you shut off your brain as they say.

I truly want to like this movie, and I still do for the most part, but it's hard to ignore a story failing this hard at suspension of disbelief. The rules of this reality exist solely because the writer makes it so but not due to their storytelling abilities. On one hand, the production side of things is above average and great at times. Likewise the basic premise is fun and engaging in its presentation, keeping you intrigued throughout. On the other hand, if you've read enough of my reviews you know how annoyed I am with stories that waste their potential, and this is one of the worst offenders. I'd still recommend this film to anyone curious from the premise alone, but you must temper your expectations substantially.

Notable Moment: The opening sequence and narration. The tone and style is set extremely well even if the film itself cannot maintain that air of mystery.

Final Rating 5.5/10

The Jester (2023) Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After their father's death, two sisters are terrorized by a supernatural creature on Halloween.

Review: I read numerous reviews calling this film a "Terrifier" ripoff or mentioning Art the clown from that series. This is somewhat understandable given the time frame of release, and the goofball nature of the clown killers, but it's not an accurate representation of "The Jester." Ironically enough, like Art the clown, the Jester character here also existed beforehand in short films years before producing this feature-length movie. So, yes, the two do parallel considerably, but the two were both created in the short film and indie circuit independently of one another.

With that nonsense out of the way, what are you actually getting with "The Jester?" Eh, nothing too crazy to say the least. If it weren't for the cursing, and slightly more gruesome deaths, this felt like an edgy episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark." Clown-like villain wastes his Halloween tormenting two sisters for no discernible reason and doesn't even kill either one. Weak. By the way, the drama between the two sisters is straight up, Lifetime channel CORN BALL as fuck. The opening scene made it seem like this particular family was being targeted for a specific reason--and so does the ending (sort of)--but, either I missed something, or no one stopped to wonder why any of this was happening.

The Jester is sort of cool as this reality-warping, trickster demon of some kind, but he should have had a makeup effect rather than a mask. There is also no explanation regarding his background, if Halloween connects to him, or what he hopes to accomplish by killing off this specific family. Maybe the shorts hold the answer, but the movie itself tells you jack beans. At the end, when the Jester arranges for the one sister to kill the other, and neither dies, you are left wondering if you simply wasted your time. Plus, he kind of just gives up after this because...why not? Ehh, it read better on paper probably.

I'm probably being too generous, but this is more mediocre than outright bad. I'm sure others will have less tolerance for the low-budget nature of the film which I get. As a PG-13 kids horror movie it would have been better and fit the tone better. There are plenty of stupid moments, but I do appreciate many of the ideas and concepts that could be expanded on. The ending is noticeably stupid so that makes it hard to recommend unless you're a fan of the shorts or just seeking out another one of the bazillion Halloween-themed horror films I pull out of my ass every year.

Notable Moment: When the dad is killed at the beginning. The hanging effect was impressive considering the budget; the obvious harness on the actor does hurt the final shot however.

Final Rating: 5/10