Here, once again taking the time to revisit previously reviewed films, it is really something an overwhelming majority of critics don’t do, as for them it’s a one and done, the written words are the final say. However, as time changes, and the everyday influences of life and that we learn more about cinema and techniques one should take the time to reevaluate the past, perhaps we can discover something new from these films, or then again one was originally correct.
This article is connection with the Visions of Horror column March 2024 found here.
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Exists (2014)
SUMMARY PER IMDB: A group of friends who venture into the remote Texas woods for a party weekend find themselves stalked by Bigfoot.
WHEN I SAW IT DATE ORIGINALLY: June 2017
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 5.2/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGE: No, the rating stayed the same, even IMDb didn’t shift on this found footage meets bigfoot storyline, especially noting that movie 10-years-old and it really is a one and done for most folks.
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Killer Mermaid (2014)
SUMMARY PER IMDB: Two young American women go on a Mediterranean vacation and uncover the watery lair of a killer mermaid hidden beneath an abandoned military fortress. What was once a carefree adventure becoming a deadly fight for survival.
WHEN I SAW IT DATE ORIGINALLY: late 2014/ early 2015
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 6.4/10
MY RATE THEN: 6.8/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGE: Yes, dramatically much lower, this again is a film review I did when I just started to officially publish them on the defunct site Rogue Cinema. The new IMDb rating is 4.1 a substantial fall from its previous lofty position, and since then once again another passage of 10-years, numerous mermaid movies have swarmed into the waters and lured the troubled to their deaths, often in gory fashion. This movie is lacking in gore, very low-end CGI the only saving grace is the location, the vibrant colors of the background still don’t render the foreground with an engaging tale.
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Collar (2014)
SUMMARY PER IMDB: “Collar” takes the viewer on journey to Hell when a rookie cop becomes the helpless victim of a Satanic derelict’s trap.
WHEN I SAW IT DATE ORIGINALLY: November 2021
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 3.9/10
MY RATE THEN: 4.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGE: The film still has those elements of grindhouse grim to it, and fills out some of the exploitative subgenre, all thanks the conviction from the late and talent Ryan Nicholson, he deployed tactics made famous by Roger Corman (RIP) concern the budgetary restrictions upon set design. The film at times reminds me of Frankenstein [1931] when it comes to killer drone mannerisms, but not the quality of Karloff that the monster has deeper depth. It is still a fil, for the tasteless, as it is brimming with gore, violence, uneasiness for therefore enjoy if enjoy the shocking images.
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Infliction (2014)
SUMMARY PER IMDB: In 2011, two brothers documented their murder spree in North Carolina. This is the actual assembled footage.
WHEN I SAW IT DATE ORIGINALLY: August 2014
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 5.5/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.5/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGE: Yes, at the time when this film was released, I was brought into the passion project from the director and the hype the surrounded it, as a new version in the found footage subgenre, however since rewatching it I have come to determine it is like a long soap opera a tad too drawn out, and in need of some editing a tighter more interesting baseline. The beginning is incredibly sluggish, the final portion provides some interest, but the middle is often quite meandering.
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Leviathan (1989)
SUMMARY PER IMDB: Perched on the hull of a wrecked Soviet freighter, a team of deep-sea miners led by head oceanographer Steven Beck comes face to face with a mutant creature that’s the product of a failed genetic experiment.
WHEN I SAW IT DATE ORIGINALLY: I recall seeing this in limited theatrical run and see then often, usually back-to-back with DeepStar Six [1989].
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 5.8/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGE: Yes, slightly to the better, the special effects are still memorable, and the cast works well together though the cuts to Meg Foster’s character always seem to break the mounting tension is my troubling issue with the film. It does bring about sci-fi storylines from many other features, but still solid b-movie, which is better than most.
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Satanic Panic (2019)
SUMMARY PER IMDB: A pizza delivery girl at the end of her financial rope has to fight for her life – and her tips – when her last order of the night turns out to be high society Satanists in need of a virgin sacrifice.
WHEN I SAW IT DATE ORIGINALLY: September 2019
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 5.7/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.5/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGE: Nope, it is still an entertaining film, especially with Jerry O’Connell for each scene he’s in just stealing the spotlight, and makes the scene find a balance of horror and comedy that makes the film work even more to the positive. Noting that movie has nothing to do with the panic from the 80s thank goodness and strives in a different direct, more grounded than Teen Lust [2014]. Take some time to view it.
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