Movie Review: PLEDGE

 

PLEDGE
Director: Daniel Robbins
Writer: Zack Weiner
Staring: Zachery Byrd, Phillip Andre Botello, Zack Wieiner, Aaron Dalla Villa
78 mins / March 2019

Horror / Thriller
Streaming: Hulu 

"Few Get In. None Get Out."

This movie is like what might happen if Revenge of the Nerds met Friday the 13th. It is Pledge-Week on a college campus. Three friends make their way from one fraternity to the next, certain they will get into one of the Greek frats.What they learn, instead, is that they are annoying, and creepy, and that the people at the houses they visit would rather make fun of them rather than let them pledge.

When a stunningly beautiful young woman invites them to a party, they decide to go. They have more than exhausted the campus opportunities. In a tucked away mansion, the three find themselves in the center of an amazing party. They are surrounded by loud music, hot chicks, and the group of guys running the house have taken a special liking in the trio.

When they come back the next day, they learn they are only 10 members ever in the "club," the three of them are the only pledges being considered. And then ... the hazing begins. The nightmare begins.

Trapped inside the mansion tucked in the middle of nowhere, the three friends realize their dream of joining a fraternity, of acceptance, inclusion -- are rocked to the core as the hazing turns to torture, One problem with escape. There is no way out . . . very little chance of getting away.

For a low budget horror film, the cinematography is top notch. Every single one of the actors does a great job, You can't help but like the three nerds (Byrd, Botello, Weiner), and Aaron Dalla Villa is a pretty cool villain.

The twist at the end, about the pledges, that was the kicker. That was what made a potential 6 Star review into an 8 Star review. In my opinion.

I found myself holding my breath more than once, and a few times, I even cringed and thought about looking away. (I was raised on horror, so looking away is never an option). This thrilling tale is far from perfect (as are most movies, even big budget films), but I really enjoyed this one! Know how I know it was compelling and entertaining? I didn't play with my phone once. (That right there is a good sign).

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel, YOU CHOOSE

Movie Review: THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER

 

THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER
Director: Duncan Skiles 
Writer: Christopher Ford
Staring: Dylan McDermott, Charlie Plummer, Madisen Beaty, Samantha Mathis 
Thriller / Crime / Drama  
109 mins / November 2018
Streaming: Hulu 

Are you in the mood for a slow-burn thriller, complete with creepiness, skin crawling, hair raising elements? The Clovehitch Killer just might be the movie you have been looking for. It was for me. Calling this film creepy just doesn't cut it. Maybe if I use a capital C? No. Nope. Still doesn't cover it.

Tyler (Plummer / Looking for Alaska) is living what he perceives as a normal teenager life. Tyler likes girls. Driving. And occasionally, sneaking out of the house to meet girls with his dad's truck. He is very involved in Boy-scouts, and his church. As are his parents. In fact his father, Don (McDermott / American Horror Story, The Practice), is the leader for Tyler's troop.

When a girl finds a bondage image ripped from the pages of a smutty magazine in the truck Tyler is driving, she spreads the roomer that Tyler is a pervert. Cindy (Beaty / Once Upon A Time in Hollywood), who hangs around outside the church, is rumored to be something of a little tramp with a fetish for the macabre. 

Tyler turns to Cindy for help, but not just because his reputation is being dragged through the mud, but because he can't shake the realization his father just might be the local serial killer. The two pair up and begin sharing clues and evidence.

As they leave no rock overturned, their search for answers alerts the Clovehitch Killer. Their own investigation has not gone unnoticed. The closer they get, the more desperate the killer becomes.

This is a fantastic film. I have no other way of putting it. Fantastic. Man, was it creepy -- did I already mention that? Somewhere at the beginning of the review? I think I did. Because, you know what? It was creepy!

Ford (Spider-man: Homecoming) carefully plots out the entire story. It is a thorough. He makes sure there are no questions left unanswered. While I found the action a bit surprising, maybe a little disappointing, I got it. I understand why Tyler does what he does, even if I don't agree with . . . how it all turns out.

It all comes down to the acting. Plummer and Beaty are good together. A little sexual tension, and plenty of awkward moments. However, McDermott's performance is absolutely unnerving (and, might I add, creepy?). 

Like I said at the beginning, if you want to kick back and watch a flick that immediately pulls you, twists your stomach into a knot, and doesn't let up until the final credits roll . . . The Clovehitch Killer is what you should be watching!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel YOU CHOOSE 

Movie Review: FROZEN

FROZEN
Director / Writer: Adam Green
Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell, Kevin Zegers
Adventure / Drama / Thriller
March 2010 / 93 mins
Streaming: Hulu, Tubi

I was a bit pessimistic about watching a movie that takes place on a ski lift. I wondered how intense, how interesting, could such a film be?

Let me tell you what, FROZEN is very intense. Very interesting. It was actually frightening. I found myself almost immediately on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The plot is simple. Three skiers convince a ski lift operator to let them make one last run down the mountain. Thing is a storm is on the way in. The resort is shutting down for the next few days. The lift operator thinks he sees the last three skiers make their way down the mountain and past him, and shuts the lift.

Only problem is, they were the wrong three skiers. Our three were still on the lift, halfway up the mountain. With the storm making its way in, they are trapped a few hundred feet above the ground. There is no cell service in the remote area (of course). The elements, wolves, and a need to survive cause the three to make difficult decisions.

They have to make difficult decisions because if they just sit stagnate for the weekend they will surely freeze to death.

This is NOT Disney's FROZEN. This is a mighty taut thriller that no one should miss!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime thriller YOU CHOOSE

 

Movie Review: BLACK OPS

 

BLACK OPS
Writer / Director: Tom Patton 

Staring: Shayne Ward, Bentley Kalu, Samantha Schnitzler
June 2020 / 102 min
Horror / Sci-fi
Streaming: HULU

The movie tagline grabs you: The Only Way Out Is Up

A Black Ops team, known as Hell's Bastards, is sent on a mission. There is a civil war happening around them. They are on some kind of recon assignment. One of the orders they have to follow is that on their way in, they are not to let anyone live ...When they breach a camp and take out the enemy, they also find civilians, prisoners. Following orders is not always easy. However, there is no way around following orders.

They are warned, however. The only way out is up.

The military team finds a doorway that leads to a staircase. And this is where the story unfolds. On a staircase. The staircase is never ending. Whether climbing up or down. It seems like an eternal "circle" of the same stairs. The same steps.

As the unnerved group continues to search for a way out, they are -- one by one -- forced to face and, in a sense, admit or atone for the sins they'd committed. The horrors of war, the horrors of their past, the crimes that their lives have become!

There are posted Exits on the stairwell. Crossing through the door is not the way to freedom. It is not a way out. There is only one way out. The way out is up.

For a movie I am assuming was made on a shoe-string budget, (I mean it literally takes place in a stairwell), I liked it! The filming is interesting. Blue, green, and red lenses are used. The effect gives the movie an overall cold feel. Icy. The acting is pretty darn good. The characters are developed enough that you care what happens to them.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the sci-fi / horror novel ABSOLUTE ZERO

Movie Review: AFTER DARKNESS

AFTER DARKNESS
Starring: Natalia Dyer, Kyra Sedgwick, Tim Daly, John Patrick Amedori 
Director: Batan Silva
Writers: Fernado Diez Barroso
138 minues / Drama / Sci-fi / Thriller
2019
Streaming: HULU 

The sun is dying. The effect on the planet is detrimental. Cold. Darkness. Hunger. Earth is in danger (as would be the entire solar system). The movie focuses on the Beaty family. On the first day of spring, and the sun does not rise, The Beatys are trying to make the best of things. They have a big house, heat, and food.

It is Clara's birthday. Clara is portrayed by Stranger Things' Natalia Dyer. Her father is the head of the family. He is trying to take care of everyone. Raymond Beaty (Tim Daly - Wings) is beyond eccentric. His helicopter means of parenting is done with an iron fist. His pressure to keep the family safe becomes more intense when he realizes his family isn't taking the situation they are in more seriously.

The Beatys struggle keeping it together. They deal with real, every-family-type situations. Including the death of a loved one, and a baby on the way. There are plenty of secrets. The thing is everyone knows them, but no one will admit them. No one will talk about them.

Siblings. Children. Parents. In-laws. Considering they are all stuck living together under one roof during the end of the world, the making for intense family drama is all right there. The ingredients are poured, and the father is always churning away at them.

The family is waiting for help. Someone is supposed to come and rescue them. There is supposed to be sanctuary in some caves, somewhere. It seems like no one is coming to help. Their relatively safe life amidst the apocalypse is threatened. But is it by the world falling apart outside, or the family falling apart from within?

While science fiction, this is more of a family drama. Dysfunctional with a capital D. The dying planet seems almost secondary to the story of death, and loss, and love. The actors do a great job, and the dialogue is on point. Is there hope? Redemption? Or just the sun hurrying up and being dead so the misery can end?

I hate assigning a number rating to a film. But out of 10, I would give this film a well-earned 7 Stars.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the science fiction novella EXTINCTION 

Movie Review: The Owners

THE OWNERS

Staring: Maisie Williams, Sylvester McCoy, Rita Tushingham, Jake Curan and Ian Kenny

Director: Julius Berg

Writers: Mathieu Gompel, Julius Berg

92 minutes / Horror / Thriller / Suspense
2020

Streaming: Hulu

Three friends have a horrible idea. They heard about a safe in the basement of an old retired doctor, and his nurse. When the couple goes out for the evening it seems like the perfect time for a burglary. There are only two problems with the plan. Mary (Maisie Williams - GOT) is Nathan's girlfriend. They borrowed her car, and she is not leaving until she gets it back.

The second problem is much, much worse. The innocent old couple is not what they seem.

This is an almost fun thriller. While you have zero sympathy for the thieves, you soon learn feeling bad for the old couple is pointless. They may be old, and they may be retired, but you soon find yourself rooting fore them.

As a fan of Maisie Williams, I decided to give this new horror flick a shot. It is fast and at times a bit intense. The ending, a bit over the top, is horrific and scary. There is an Alice-in-Wonderland bizarre sense to the way the plot unfolds. I also got a little taste of Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibe. Remember the scene at the dinner table. "Hit her, grandpa! Hit her." Yeah - weird like that.

The movie is perfectly timed at just over an hour and a half. Any longer and the film would lose its bite. 

I enjoyed the suspense, and the calm, cool, and collective Dr. Huggins (Sylvester McCoy - Hobbit / Dr. Who). He was creepy as hell!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the supernatural horror novel, Woman in the Woods