Michael returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend. As the two men get to know each other, he becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand.. The star cast in the movie are Penn Badgley, Dylan Walsh, Amber Heard, Sela Ward, Sherry Stringfield , Jon Tenney, Kara Briola, Nelson McCormick, Jason Wiles .

Based on a true story, The Haunting in Connecticut charts one family’s real-life encounter with the dark forces of the supernatural. When the Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house a transformed funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner’s clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Now unspeakable terror awaits when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the dead, returns to unleash horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family. The Star Cast in the movie are Virginia Madsen , Kyle Gallner, Amanda Crew, Martin Donovan, Ty Wood , Erik J. Berg, D.W. Brown, John B. Lowe, Adriana O’Neil, Will Woytowich.

After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang led by a prison escapee (Dillahunt) unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging the parents of one of the victims — a mother (Potter) and father (Goldwyn) who devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics. The Star cast in the movie are Garret Dillahunt , Michael Bowen, Joshua Cox, Riki Lindhome , Sara Paxton, Monica Potter, Tony Goldwyn, Martha MacIsaac, Spencer Treat Clark .

A group of Special Ops Reservists on a mission in the harsh and hostile terrain of Afghanistan find themselves lost in a Middle Eastern “Bermuda Triangle” of ancient evil. The Star cast in the movie are Jonas Ball, Matthew R. Anderson, Jon Huertas, Michael C. Williams, Sam Hunter, Jeff Prewett.

Anna Rydell returns home to her sister (and best friend) Alex after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother, aloof father, and the presence of a ghost in their home. The Star cast in the movie are Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, David Strathairn , Elizabeth Banks, Maya Massar, Don S. Davis, Matthew Bristol, Danny Bristol, Heather Doerksen, Ryan Cowie.

A group of young adults discover a boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, where they soon encounter Jason Voorhees (Mears) and his deadly intentions. The Star Cast in the movie are Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Travis Van Winkle, Derek Mears, Willa Ford, Ryan Hansen, Nick Mennell, America Olivo.

The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans. In the Dark Ages, a young Lycan named Lucian (Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has enslaved them. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, Sonja (Mitra), in his battle against the Death Dealer army and his struggle for Lycan freedom. The Star cast in the movie are Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh, Kevin Grevioux, Tania Nolan, Craig Parker, Leighton Cardno.

A young woman fights the spirit that is slowly taking possession of her. The Star Cast in the movie are Gary Oldman, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba , Rhys Coiro, Carla Gugino, James Remar, Odette Yustman

Tom (Ackles) returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, however, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame (King) is the only one will believes he’s innocent. The Star Cast in the movie are Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith , Betsy Rue, Edi Gathegi, Megan Boone, Marc Macaulay, Todd Farmer, Liam Rhodes

When hundreds of videotapes showing torture, murder and dismemberment are found in an abandoned house, they reveal a serial killer’s decade-long reign of terror and become the most disturbing collection of evidence homicide detectives have ever seen. The Star Cast in the movie are Stacy Chbosky, Ben Messmer, Samantha Robson, Ivar Brogger, Lou George, Amy Lyndon, Michael Lawson, Ron Harper, Kim Kenny

Three women are stalked by a killer with a grudge that extends back to the girls’ childhoods. The Star Cast in the movie are Katheryn Winnick , Jessica Lucas, Laura Breckenridge, Preston Bailey, Brennan Bailey, Ashley Arnold

Movie audiences will forgive movies with even the most worn out plot lines, if they can be presented in a different and interesting way. The horror genre is even more restricted and if it strays from the formula too much, it just might fail. “Prom Night” tries its best to stick to the formula and covers some very familiar terrain, but it is just too safe and boring.

Film: PROM NIGHT
Cast: Brittany Snow, Scott Porter, Idris Elba, Jonathan Schaech
Director: Nelson McCormick
Rating: 1/5

Like most horror movies, “Prom Night” revolves around teens and this time it is the American teen rite of passage – the prom night – that serves as the premise.

Donna (Brittany Snow) had to witness her family killed by a teacher obsessed with her. She moves on with her life, now living with her uncle and aunt. It’s prom night and she hopes to make it the best night of her life with her friends. But the murderer Richard Fenton (Jonathan Schaech) has just escaped three days ago and he wants to find Donna because he believes he is meant to be with her.

From the moment prom night begins, the movie turns limp. The characters exchange some pleasantries and there is no dread of the horror we know is coming. The movie also requires audiences to really stretch their imagination in believing that the killer can just walk around unnoticed, book himself into a hotel even though he’s escaped jail three days earlier.

The movie also suffers from a lack of background. There is no history presented as to why the teacher is obsessed with Donna. Most of the characters are presented to clearly fit out the requisite ingredients for a horror movie. Even hardcore horror fans will be disappointed with the lack of gore. It is far too safe. There could have been a better build up of suspense if we were presented more of the methods of the killer. He inadvertently pops up at the scene just in time.

It would have been more fulfilling to be in awe of the killer’s skill and we could truly fear him. We are not allowed to form any kind of impression of the killer and simply have to believe that he is a very bad man. Though inferior, the movie does not outright embarrass itself. The production is slick and the camerawork in some scenes is commendable. The score manages to build up some sort of suspense and it is not intrusive.

There are no big names here and it clearly shows. The actors try their best to fill out the cardboard thin characters the script presents them with. The most decent acting job in the movie is Idris Elba playing Detective Winn. Of all the actors, he looks the most likely to shine in the future if given better roles.

This is not a movie anyone should hurry to go and see. But for horror fans looking for something more fleetingly entertaining, “Prom Night” might be a pleasant surprise.

Rating: 2.5/5

First it was Tom Hanks in ‘Cast Away’ who accomplished the challenging task rather glibly, and now it is Will Smith who once again proves his strength as a charmer and a potent performer, who carries out the lonely act with enigmatic ease. Famous for his aptitude of pulling crowds to the worst of his movies, Will Smith demonstrates once again why he manages to secure unfaltering loyalty from his audience.

Will Smith in I Am Legend

With only a German shepherd for a living company by his side, Will Smith does a marvelous job at enlivening the character of Robert Neville, the sole survivor three years post a virus epidemic that swiped the entire population on the island of Manhattan into evacuation and quarantining of the entire New York City. The compelling charisma of Smith successfully renders the absolute loneliness in his enactment, evoking a mix of fright and even fascination among his audience.

The movie is the latest film version of the novel by Richard Matheson. The movie portrays the life of Robert Neville, a scientist-cum-warrior, during his quest to find a cure of the deadly virus that consumed life off the island. He must roam around the city strictly during day time, as the dark corners of the city are infected with zombies. The zombies have been shown as those virus-infected human beings that have turned into hairless, whitish flesh-eating nocturnal beings that live in packs and are intelligent enough to set traps and make plans.

Alice Braga in I Am Legend

What is particularly interesting is the way Mr Francis Lawrence has shown the familiar surroundings of Manhattan wild and deserted. In fact, the location not only assists Will Smith achieve the better of his talent, but also overshadows him at times with the highly realistic and identifiable depictions. The director, Mr Lawrence, makes generous use of digital-effects, keeping in tune with his reputation of using computer generated effects extensively in his projects.

While the digital zombies at first make the movie look like a sci-fi adventure, it looses its originality as the zombies start crowding, appearing highly reminiscent hence of the monsters of the famous ‘28 Days later’. The graphics disappoint, as they fail to cater something new and exciting to its demanding viewers. While Will Smith definitely delivers better than Vincent Price and Charlton Heston as Robert Neville among the reel versions of the novel, the latest flick does not leave any memorable impression over and above its predecessors. The role of the beautiful Brazilian actress Alice Braga is small, as she appears at the climax of the movie to give company to Robert for life ahead. In all, the movie is at its best when Robert character is alone, on his own.

Rating: 2.5/5

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Rating: 2/5

As Bell tries to get to the abductor, Jigsaw sets off traps that claim more and more victims across the city. The two FBI detectives must unravel clues to get to the motive behind the murders. Their investigations lead them to Jigsaw’s ex-wife Betsy Russell. They discover that Jigsaw is the master controlling the puppet that is marking victims in the present, past and the future.

Still from Saw IV

The film goes a lot into flashback, revealing snapshots of Kramer’s past. Using the dead Jigsaw in this movie was ingenious but a lot of the movie appears flimsy. It shows the accident of his wife that causes him to develop a distorted, sadistic mindset towards people who do not value life. As a result he ends up setting sinister traps for such people by marking his past, present and future victims. This is by far the most frivolous excuse for killing people.

The opening shot of the movie is chilling and makes your stomach turn. But this is a drawback since the rest of the movie is not as gripping. Scott Patterson as the FBI detective does seem a bit lost. The special effects are the highlight of the film, which is otherwise dotted with mindless murders. The climax of the movie is surprising, but satisfying. It leaves the doors open for more sequels to be made.

Still from Saw IV

There is an attempt to infuse freshness in the screenplay by newcomers Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton. Director Darren Lynn Bausman dons the mantle one more time and displays no ingenuity in the plot. But there are no new characters and the director just uses the leftover from the previous movies. The acting is sub standard with no memorable performances. The characters seem to just act without much thought and with a degree of confusion similar to the plot of the movie.

Saw IV is quite stereotype as sequels go and uses the same uninteresting formula. The main characters go around solving stupid puzzles as the body count in the city piles up. There are numerous loopholes in the movie and utter chaos prevails. However Saw IV will not disappoint horror flick enthusiasts.

Rating: 2/5

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Rating:3/5

The story opens to a group of people lead by David Drayton played by Thomas Jane and his son Billy, essayed by Nathan Gamble stuck in the local grocery store due to a puzzling and dense mist. Most of the characters are in the store to replenish groceries in anticipation of a worsening weather. The plot thickens when a bloodied man rushes inside the store and reveals that his companion has mysteriously disappeared in the thick mist, pulled in by something or someone. From then on things go wrong and people who venture in to the mist do not return.

Stephen King

The story reaches criticality when a religious fanatic Marcia Gray Harden decides to use prayers and even offers human sacrifice to appease the gods and to drive away the evil spirits from the mist. However David Drayton is not convinced about the danger in the mist and decides to take his chances outside, rather than put up with normal people displaying abnormal behavior inside the store. The interaction between David’s group and the mist that seems to have a life of its own as it swirls and behaves like a menacing creature are chilling to the bone. Darabont has put life into the mist and given it a upsetting and scary form as he depicts characters simply melting into the mist. This sheer picturisation is more effective than any sound effect or special effect.

Frances Sternhagen, Laurie Holden, Thomas Jane, Nathan Gamble in The Mist

The director has drawn some unnerving performances from Harden as the religious extremist and from Jane who is trying to understand the mystery unfolding and simultaneously wants to save his son from harm. Gamble, as his son Billy is quite good, especially when he is scared and wails for his mother. Andre Braugher as one of the atheists is convincing, as is Laurie Holden who tries to soothe little Billy. Frances Sternhagen, Sam Witwer and Jeffrey DeMunn who play David’s accomplices in running from the store do a good job of their assigned roles.

Laurie Holden, Thomas Jane, Nathan Gamble in The Mist

Darabont does an excellent job of recreating the horror and chilling details of King’s murky story. The tight script realistically captures the workings of the human mind that creates monstrosities where none exist. Darabont leaves some gaps in the film that you can easily visualize and fill in. He gives shape to the disturbing creatures of the mist using some special effects and creates a twist in the ending that will keep you glued to your seat right till the end. This is one movie that is a must watch for die-hard fans of Mr. King.

Rating: 3/5

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